KNIGHTS EDGE 1ST PLACE GROSSMONT, 5-4

The San Diego City College baseball team came back twice to win its fourth consecutive game on Tuesday, 5-4, over PCAC-leading Grossmont in the first of a three-game series this week. 

Grossmont (19-9, 12-4 PCAC) scored the first two runs of the game in the top of the first on Noah Strohl's RBI single and Justen Burkey's RBI double. 

The Knights answered in the bottom half of the first inning with two runs of their own to tie the game. Scott Martinez scored from third base on a wild pitch and then, two batters later, Tyler Flores came around to score from second base, also on a wild pitch that rolled back near Grossmont's dugout. 

With runners on first and second, Grossmont's Strohl hit another RBI single to give the Griffins a 3-2 lead. Fortunately for the Knights, center fielder Scott Martinez threw out Trevor Beard at third base on the play to prevent another possible run. 

Grossmont took it second 2-run lead in the top of the sixth when Michael Diffley's single scored Justin Mitchell from second base. 

The Knights came right back at Grossmont in the bottom of the sixth with three runs off three hits to take the lead for good. With two out and runners on the corners, Addison Hull was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Martinez who was also hit. 

Shortstop Anthony Warneke came up next and hit a double to right field that scored two runs to give the Knights a 5-4 lead that they would hold on to. 

Starting pitcher Garrett Yocum went eight innings and struck out seven to improve to 3-3 on the season. Frank Lopez moved over from first base to pitcher and earned his first save of the season by allowing only a walk in the top of the ninth. 

The Knights are now 12-9 overall and 7-5 in the PCAC, one game behind first place Grossmont in the loss column. 

These teams will meet again on Thursday at Grossmont and Friday at Morley Field.