DUARTE HITS WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM IN COMEBACK WIN OVER COLLEGE OF THE DESERT

PHOTOS by Byron Devers

AVC pulled off a thrilling 11-8 come-from-behind victory over the College of the Desert Roadrunners on Monday at AVC. The Roadrunners jumped out to an early lead after scoring 4 runs in the 1st inning. AVC got on the board in the 3rd inning when Zach Terry tripled to score Nathan Duarte, but the Roadrunners extended their lead with two more runs in the 4th inning. 

The Marauders pulled within three after Ariv Camacho hit a 2-RBI double, scoring DH Omar Santamaria and Nathan Duarte. Down 7-4 in the 8th inning, Duarte hit a 2-RBI double to pull the Marauders within two runs. After the Roadrunners hit a solo home run in the top of the final inning, AVC was down 8-5 and down to their last three outs. William Joseph started the comeback off when he singled to score Josh Nuno. The Marauders then pulled within one run after an RBI-double by Nate Scott. 

With one out, COD intentionally walked Dom Antinetti, bringing up Duarte with the bases loaded. Duarte then pulled off the rarest of walk-offs when he crushed a shot over the left-center fence. The grand slam gave him his 6th RBI on the day and AVC the 11-8 victory. Duarte finished 3-for-4 and also scored three times. Josh Nuno also finished 3-for-4, while Ariv Camacho had 2 RBI, and Nate Scott had 2 hits with 1 RBI. 

Jake Glickman and George Mercado combined for 8 innings of work, while Austin Johnson finished as the winning pitcher for AVC. 

The 4-4 Marauders will travel to Victor Valley before returning home to play Taft College on Thursday, 2/17.