COD Baseball Sweeps Opening Weekend Twin Bill Over LA Harbor

The College of the Desert baseball team opened the 2026 season in style, sweeping a weekend twin bill from Los Angeles Harbor, 7–3 and 4–3 (10 innings), under picture-perfect skies in Palm Desert.

The Roadrunners (2–0) continued a familiar tradition, hosting the Seahawks to begin the season for the seventh straight year. With the two wins, COD moves to 7–3 in its last 10 season-opening games against LA Harbor.

Game 1 – Roadrunners Set the Tone Early

COD jumped out quickly in the opener, scoring once in the second inning, three times in the third, and adding another run in the fourth to build a 5–0 lead.

LA Harbor broke through with two runs in the fifth, but the Roadrunners answered with a run in the sixth. Both teams added a run in the seventh to account for the 7–3 final.

The COD offense was active throughout the lineup:

* Brandon Leon (So., LF, La Quinta HS) went 3-for-5 with a run scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases from the No. 2 spot.
* Jon Artis (So., RF, Katy HS, TX) finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs hitting third.
* Derrick Thompson (So., CF, Randallstown HS, MD) was 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI, and two stolen bases out of the six-hole.
* Benjamin Wade (So., C, Holy Savior Menard HS, LA) added a 2-for-3 performance with a run scored and an RBI.

On the mound, Matthew Wallin (So., RHP, Orange Vista HS) earned his first win of the season, tossing five innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out five. Brandon Deth (So., RHP, Moanalua HS, HI) closed it out with four innings of relief, giving up one run on two hits and striking out four.

Game 2 – Walk-Off Drama in Extras

The Saturday afternoon matinee brought the drama.

COD struck first with a run in the third, but LA Harbor answered with two in the fifth to take the lead, then added another in the sixth to go up 3–1. The Roadrunners responded in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at 3–3 during a stretch when the stadium scoreboard went dark, adding to the old-school feel of the rally.

The game remained tied into the 10th inning, when COD delivered the walk-off. With two outs, Jon Artis punched an infield single to bring home Stephen Hutchinson (Fr., 2B, Palm Desert HS) for the game-winning run and a 4–3 victory.

Top performances at the plate included:

* Leon, who went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI
* Artis, 2-for-5 with the walk-off RBI
* Hutchinson, 2-for-4 with a run scored from the No. 9 spot

Freshman Javier Vasquez (RHP, La Quinta HS) delivered a strong start, going six innings and allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out six. Caleb Ortiz (So., RHP, Shadow Hills HS) was outstanding in relief, throwing four innings of one-hit baseball with three strikeouts to earn his first win of the year.

With timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and strong pitching performances, the Roadrunners start 2026 at 2–0 and carry early momentum into the rest of the opening homestand.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Darbie Catalfamo Photography.