No. 1 Kellogg CC Edges No. 8 SMCC Baseball In Extra Innings at World Series

PHOENIX ---

The No. 8 South Mountain Community College baseball team (47-16) lost 6-4 in 10 innings to No. 1 Kellogg CC in round two of the NJCAA Division II World Series at David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Okla. Freshman Liu Rodriguez Jr. launched a solo home run in the top of the 10th to give SMCC a 4-3 lead, but the Bruins walked off with the win on a three-run home run in the bottom of the frame. 

SMCC scored three times in the first to take an early advantage. A pitch hit sophomore Bobby Pierce Jr. to start the game, and he moved to third on a single from sophomore Bryan Lorenz. Freshman Aidan Murphy drove in Pierce Jr. with an RBI sac bunt, and Ornelas made it 2-0 with an RBI single that brought in Lorenz. Rodriguez Jr. then picked up a two-out RBI with a single that plated sophomore Jack Meissner. 

Kellogg CC chipped away at the deficit, scoring a single run in the first, third, and fifth innings to tie the contest. Neither team could push a run across until the 10th's dramatics. 

Rodriguez Jr. was a perfect 4 for 4 with two doubles, two RBIs, a run, and a walk in the loss. Lorenz was 2 for 4 with a run and a stolen base, and sophomore Nuri Todd added a double. 

Freshman Gennaro Brito started the game for SMCC and went three innings with five hits, two earned runs, and a walk to go with one strikeout. Sophomore Lukas Geisler tossed three innings of relief with three hits, one earned run, and two walks.

Sophomore Diego Rodriguez (1-1) took the loss on the mound with three innings of relief. He allowed four hits, three earned runs, and two walks to go with one K. 

SMCC will look to extend its time in Enid with an elimination game against Wake Tech (NC) on Monday, May 25. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. MT (AZ).