Markus shines, baseball team finishes strong at Buttles tourney

Courtesy of On My Game Photography
Courtesy of On My Game Photography

Irvine Valley's baseball team finished strong in the Buttles Tournament at College of the Desert on Saturday.

The Lasers won their second game in a row, defeating San Bernardino Valley, 10-3.

Sophomore right-hander Matt Markus got the start and delivered. He went five innings and gave up just one run.

Sophomores Tyler Odekirk, Cole Joy, Tyler Wagner and Robbie Espinosa provided big hits and runs on offense as did freshmen third baseman Ryan Rafferty, left fielder Cain Allen, catcher Ryan Gaynor and center fielder Nick Jacobson.

Freshman Eric Brunst came on in relief and got a strikeout and a double play to end an inning with the bases loaded and freshman Rafael Salas closed out the game in the ninth with a perfect inning, including a strikeout.

Irvine Valley went 2-1 in the tournament and improved its record to 3-3 overall. The Lasers play again on Tuesay at home in a nonconference game against Mt. SAC at 2 p.m.