“Cardiac Kids” Strike Again, Walk It Off to Force Winner-Take-All Finale

After falling flat in Game 1, the College of the Desert Baseball team had its postseason back against the wall, and delivered in dramatic fashion.

The Roadrunners (32-7) rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to stun Saddleback College (25-17), 7-6, keeping their season alive and living up to their "Cardiac Kids" nickname once again.

With the win, and after Saddleback eliminated Cerritos later Sunday afternoon, COD will face the Bobcats in a winner-take-all first-round finale on Monday, May 4 at 1 p.m.

The victory was historic. Dating back to records as far as 1992, the Roadrunners had never defeated Saddleback (formerly the Gauchos) until Sunday.

Late-Inning Heroics Seal It

Sophomore center fielder Brandon Leon (La Quinta HS) played a key role in the ninth-inning rally, finishing 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Leon reached on a fielder's choice that brought home Jon Artis to tie the game, then came around to score the walk-off run moments later.

Freshman Kaden Prosofsky (Bishop James Mahoney, SK) delivered the game-winner, dropping a bloop single into right field to score Leon and cap the comeback. Prosofsky went 2-for-4 with a run scored and also made one of the game's biggest defensive plays in the eighth, laying out for a diving catch in right and flipping over to secure the second out.

Offense Sets the Stage

Malakai Lopez (Rancho Mirage HS), a Cal State San Bernardino commit, continued his consistent season with his 18th multi-hit game, going 2-for-5 with a run scored from the No. 2 spot.

Derek Ball (Chaparral HS, CO) added a hit from the cleanup spot, finishing 1-for-3 in his fifth multi-RBI game of the year.

Noah Arreola (West Covina HS) provided the early spark, crushing a three-run home run in the fourth inning to give COD a 4-1 lead—one of the biggest swings of the day. Arreola later exited the game in the seventh after an ejection.

Small Ball, Big Moment

In the ninth, sophomore Isaac Rodrigues (Aiea HS, HI) came through in a critical pinch-hit situation, laying down a sacrifice bunt to move the tying run into scoring position. That runner, Jon Artis, would score shortly after to even the game at 6-6 and set the stage for the walk-off.

Staff Holds the Line

Starter Javier Vasquez (La Quinta HS) gave COD a solid six innings, working through traffic while striking out three.

Out of the bullpen, Caleb Ortiz (Shadow Hills HS) delivered a gritty 2.1 innings in a rare relief appearance to keep the game within reach.

Freshman closer Victor Estrada (Palm Desert HS) handled the final two outs, giving the Roadrunners a chance to complete the comeback.

With momentum on their side and their season still alive, the Roadrunners now turn their attention to Monday's decisive showdown, with a trip to the next round on the line.

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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 Dale Beck Photography.