On Friday, the Cerritos College baseball team closed out their regular season with a 5-3 win over host Long Beach City College. The win by the South Coast Conference champions puts their record at 32-8 overall and 19-5, as the team prepares for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs.

The Falcons jumped out to a 5-0 lead through the first two innings, which turned out to be enough offensive production to win the game. In the top of the first inning, sophomore shortstop DJ Massey (Gahr HS/Central Arizona College) led off with a walk, while sophomore third baseman Anthony Bassett (Colegio Bautista de Managua, Nicaragua/Los Angeles Harbor College) reached on an infield single. On the play, Massey was able to advance to third base on an error and then scored on a base hit by sophomore first baseman Mike Santos (Servite HS).

It was a four-run second inning that enabled Cerritos to open up their big lead. Sophomore outfielders Nico Briones (Long Beach Millikan HS) and Marlon Oviedo (Colegio Parroquial San Rafael N#1, Nicaragua/Los Angeles Harbor College) drew walks, which set the table for Massey, who doubled in the first run of the inning. After a walk to freshman designated player Alonso Reyes (Culver City HS), Bassett reached on a error, which plated a run, while the second error of the inning on a ground ball by freshman first baseman Isaiah Rios (St. John Bosco HS) allowed the other two runs of the inning to score.

Freshman starting pitcher Myles Johnson (Katella HS) allowed three runs (all in the third inning) on eight hits over six innings of work to earn the win. Sophomore closer Calix Armijo (Mary Star of the Sea HS) tossed the final three innings, as he struck out five batters to earn his state-leading 10th save of the year.

Massey (2-for-4, walk, RBI, two runs), Santos and freshman catcher Ryan Reyes (Los Alamitos HS) all collected a pair of hits in the win.

Photos by Daryl Peterson