Coon Tosses Seven Shutout, Baseball Blanks ELAC

Sophomore right hander Hayden Coon had a rough outing early last week following a strong 2022 campaign. After experiencing an uncharacteristic outing in his season debut, he reared back and shoved it against the East Los Angeles Huskies in the first game of a two-game, non-conference series. The Tigers leaned on strong pitching while plating six runs on eight hits to take home a 6-0 win.

Coon was downright filthy in his second start by tossing seven innings of shutout ball. He held the Huskies hitless through three innings that featured two strikeouts. He finished with six punchouts while surrendering a mere two hits.

"I am feeling good right now," said Coon. "Last weekend was a little rough and I came back with a different approach. Today and it was successful."

Coon located well with a heavy four seamer and complimentary off-speed pitches. His command was on point while not allowing a single walk.

"We are going to build off this momentum. We are just going to keep building and keep winning."

The 6-2, 220 lbs Yucaipa native will be a huge piece in the rotation moving forward.

"My goal is to compete with everything that I got and be in every pitch. There is no reason I should be taken out of any game, so just keep going."

Riverside plated their first three runs in the second inning compliments of a two-run single from freshman shortstop Robert Phelps. Freshman designated hitter Anthony Gibbons and sophomore first baseman Andrew Rodriguez scored on the play. Phelps later came around to score on a double down the left field line from freshman second baseman Bryce Cermenelli.

Riverside was back at it in the bottom of the fourth inning with Gibbons sparking a rally with a hit by pitch. After freshman third baseman Gage Gonzales singled to right center field, freshman left fielder Derek Hurtado drove in Gibbons on a single to right field. Gonzales came around to score on a double play ball from Phelps.

Sophomore right fielder Matthew Bardowell added the last insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning by squaring up a high, inside fastball that he clobbered over the left center wall leading to the 6-0 win.

Sophomore reliver Albert Roblez chucked the final two frames while scattering three hits and fanning one batter.

Gonzales was the lone multi-hit player by going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Phelps finished with two RBI.