In a dominant pitching performance, freshman David Hays (St. John Bosco HS) surrendered a leadoff hit and then kept visiting Fullerton College at bay through eight innings. On offense, the Falcons scored twice in the first inning, which would have been enough in a 7-0 season-opening win at Kincaid Field on Friday. The team will host Glendale College at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The first time through the lineup say Hays, who had complete control of his pitches, struck out six batters, including five in a row. He did walk two batters on the day, but both were stranded, as his defense played well behind him and turned a pair of double plays.

In the bottom of the first inning, electrifying sophomore outfielder Buck Anderson (Lakewood HS/Cal State Bakersfield) led off with a triple and scored on a double inside the third base line from freshman second baseman Andres Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS). With two outs, sophomore third baseman Richard Castro (Bishop Amat HS/Cal State San Bernardino) singled home the second run of the inning.

The Falcons collected eight of their 10 hits through the first three innings, although they were not able to add to their lead. A walk to sophomore outfielder Shea Estrin (West Torrance HS), followed by sophomore catcher Owen Beebe (Long Beach Millikan HS/Golden West College) getting hit by a pitch led off the fourth inning, which brought Anderson to the plate. He laid down a beautiful bunt, with the throw from pitcher Trevor Commorford wide of first base, which allowed both runs to score.

Cerritos put another run on the board in the sixth inning, as Estrin led of with a bunt single and stole second base. With two outs, he stole third base and came around to score on a throw wide of third base. They put their final two runs on the board in the seventh inning without collecting a hit. Consecutive one-out walks to sophomore shortstop Alex Bueno (Centennial, NV HS) and Hays was followed by a fielding error, which loaded the bases. An infield out by sophomore first baseman Nicholas Martinez (La Serna HS) plated one run on an infield out, while a second error allowed another to score.

Hays finished his eight innings allowing just one hit, with sophomore relief pitcher Andy Hurtado (Downey HS/Rio Hondo College) surrendering a lead-off double, but retired the next three batters to secure the shutout.

Anderson led the team with three hits, while the duo of Castro and Estrin each added a pair of hits.

Photos by Daryl Peterson