Though it loaded the bases in the sixth and ninth innings, American River College’s baseball team was unable to bring in more than one run in each frame en route to a 6-4 home loss to Diablo Valley College despite starting pitcher Kirby Broadbent’s 7 ⅔ innings pitched.
Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, ARC had the bases loaded with two outs, and scored a run following a walk to second baseman Steven Mercado to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Right fielder Alex Gaskin followed, but grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
Broadbent came up in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and ARC trailing 6-3 after pinch-hitting in the eighth, but was only able to manage a sacrifice fly as the rally attempt fell short.
Andrew Fuentes pinch-hit for starting catcher Matt Elliot, but struck out swinging to end the game as DVC relief pitcher Eric Crispell notched his third save of the season.
Broadbent, while spectacular at the plate so far this season, has struggled on the mound in his starts. The loss dropped him to 1-3 in his outings.
Broadbent allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits while walking three before finally being pulled in the eighth inning after a single by DVC left fielder Richard Lindsey.
Lindsey led the offensive charge for DVC, accounting for three of the team’s six RBIs.
For ARC (6-6), the game was a bit of a setback as the team scored only four runs and played its first home game in over two weeks to now 3-9 DVC.
After struggling to bring in base runners last season, ARC’s offense has been a pleasant surprise to this point, with freshman Broadbent holding a .500 batting average, top in the state.
Broadbent also holds a slugging percentage .763, good enough for fifth in the state, and has an on base percentage of .593, second overall.
Despite the hot play of late, the offense slipped against DVC, with no one in ARC’s lineup managing more than one hit throughout the game.
The team totaled six hits and left 13 runners on base.
ARC’s next game is today at Modesto Junior College (5-5-1).
ARC head coach Doug Jumelet declined to comment on the game and did not make players available for interviews.