MARAUDERS COMPLETE SWEEP OF WEST LA, WINNING STREAK HITS THREE GAMES

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

CULVER CITY - Timothy Dodd said that after his team was swept in a three-game series recently against LA Valley College, it realized that it is better that what it has produced.

And it has shown the past three games.

The Marauder baseball team's bats have recently come alive and AVC completed a three-game sweep of West LA College, with a thrilling 10-inning victory, 5-4, Saturday afternoon at West LA College.

Dodd helped the Marauders' cause at the plate with two home runs, a two-run blast and a solo home run. Dodd's two-run shot helped AVC build a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

"It was a productive outing. After the sweep by LA Valley, I think the team realized a team like that shouldn't have swept us," Dodd said. "Guys are finally starting to come through. We came out Tuesday with a different attitude. We have to go into the series against LA Mission with the same mentality. Our goal is to finish .500 and show we can compete with these teams."

AVC's moxie has been displayed during its three-game winning streak. After scoring only 12 runs during an eight-game losing skid, the Marauders have compiled 25 runs the past three games against the Wildcats.

West LA College scored four unanswered runs to take a 4-2 lead, however, the Marauders chipped away and scored one in the top of the seventh inning and Dodd's second home run of the game in the eighth to send the game to extra innings.

In the top of the 10th inning, John Serrato singled home Travis Tarnoff who doubled earlier in the inning.

AVC got solid innings out of starter Arturo Sanchez who allowed only two earned runs. Hunter Greenough relieved Sanchez and pitched four innings of two-hit ball for the save.