After dropping game one of their playoff series, the Glendale Community College Vaqueros showed resilience by battling back to win game two to play on to game three. The Vaqueros entered the matchup with momentum and hopes of advancing. Instead the team experienced the highs and lows of playoff baseball in a dramatic 15 inning battle against Los Angeles Pierce College.
Game three became a battle to survive. Both teams understood the importance of winning this game. Glendale fought hard throughout the game but missed so many chances to score in runs leaving runners stranded. Glendale started the game strong in the second inning James Harrington got the Vaqueros on the board with an RBI groundout that brought home a run for a 1-0 lead, Moments later Jackson Pratt added to the score with an RBI single to right field scoring in another run making it 2-0. Glendale would then also score in another run with another RBI single that Jackson Lysol’s would deliver making it 3-0. Glendale would dominate the first half with excellent pitching and defense that kept Pierce quiet with the offense.
However, that shifted quietly when entering the sixth inning when Pierce’s offense exploded. Carlos Macias drove in the first run with an RBI single before JJ Fagfoomsintu tied the game with a two run home run to left field. Later in that same inning Isaiah Chaves gave Pierce its first lead of the game 4-3 with an RBI single. Pierce continued to dominate the game in the seventh inning. Glendale would make an error at first base that caused them a run to score by Jermey Jones on an RBI single to make it 6-3 in the seventh inning. With only two innings remaining the Vaqueros were now under more pressure to come back from a three run game.
Despite the pressure Glendale refused to give up. Entering the eighth inning Charlie Carafotes delivered an RBI single to cut the lead to 6-4. Then with two outs in the ninth inning the Vaqueros produced one final comeback effort. David Lozano singled to right and that would drive in a run with so much excitement a run would score in as well on a Pierce fielding error tying the game 6-6 and sending the crowd in so much more excitement and making the players more hyped to win this game.
As the game went on both teams were putting up a good fight both having amazing scoreless innings. Pitchers on both sides managed to keep innings scoreless, keeping the tension high throughout the night. But as we entered the fifteenth inning, Pierce finally broke through after a pitching change, Braden Sellz crushing a two run home run to left field giving Pierce an 8-6 win.
Glendale was unable to get the win of their third playoff game ending their season earlier than they hoped. Even with the loss the Vaqueros had a strong season and showed heart every time they stepped on the field. They played hard all year, fought through tough moments and never gave up. Each game proved to the fans how talented this team was. They gave fans and themselves a reason to remember this season and also to build something strong to carry onto next season.