Giants Rallies for 14-12 Win over Coalinga College

COALINGA, Calif. – College of the Sequoias (14-17, 7-8) erupted for eight runs in the top of the ninth inning, completing a thrilling comeback to defeat Coalinga 14-12 on the road Saturday afternoon. The win gave the Giants the three-game series win. 

COS trailed 11-6 heading into the final inning before launching a rally that featured seven hits, a pair of Coalinga errors, and multiple clutch at-bats. The go-ahead run came when Walker Selley (British Columbia) reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Aiden Medina (Hoover HS) to make it 12-11. Manny Veleta (Highland HS) followed with an RBI single and later scored on a wild pitch to add insurance. 

The Giants had contributions up and down the lineup. Zach Milhous (Monache HS) went 3-for-5 with an RBI and scored twice, including in the ninth-inning surge. Alex Lopez (Golden West HS) finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, including a game-tying single in the ninth. Cruz Rodriguez (Redwood HS) added two hits, two runs, and an RBI, while Nick Senn (El Diamante HS) drove in a run with a pinch-hit single. 

Sequoias chipped away throughout the game. Ned Ceklic (Alberta) opened the scoring in the first with an RBI single. Caleb Catalano (Redwood HS), Diego Sanchez (Bakersfield Christian HS), and Selley each added run-scoring hits in the middle innings to keep the Giants within striking distance. 

On the mound, six different pitchers saw action for the Giants. Nick Senn earned the win after working the eighth inning, and Tyson Kilbreath (Alberta) picked up the save with a scoreless ninth, striking out one. 

Giants totaled 17 hits on the day, and capitalized on four Coalinga errors. It showed the grit and depth of the their lineup. 

"The guys showed a lot of heart today," Head Coach Jody Allen said. "We talk all the time about playing to the last out, and they did that today." 

COS will carry the momentum into a big week of conference play as they prepare to face one of the top teams in the Central Valley Conference.  

On Deck 

College of the Sequoias now turns its attention to a pivotal three-game Central Valley Conference series against Fresno City College. The Giants will host the opener on Tuesday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m., before hitting the road for games two and three at Fresno on Thursday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 12 at 1:00 p.m. 

Following the series, Sequoias will head to Porterville for a single game on Monday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. as they continue a critical stretch of conference play.