PANTHERS HAVE ROUGH DAY AT BARSTOW - LOOK TO CLINCH 2022 TITLE IN FINAL HOME GAMES

The Panthers took on Barstow College yesterday in a head-to-head battle for IEAC supremacy.  Earlier this season, Chaffey defeated BC 2-0 and 3-2 but yesterday Chaffey had little problem getting runners into scoring position, but struggled to plate them once given the opportunity. This gave Barstow the opportunity to grab a 4-2 win and force the teams into a nailbiter race for the title.

Through the first five innings, Chaffey had at least one runner stranded at 2^nd or 3^rd to end each inning, failing to come up with the 2-out hit. Although the Panthers finally put together some offense in the 6th, they once again left a runner at 2^nd with the tying run at the plate.

Violet Salazar pitched a strong game, allowing a single run in the first inning before a misplayed ball allowed three runs to cross the plate in the 3^rd inning. 

Coach Tivey: "It was uncharacteristic for our defense to make a mistake and it proved costly as we had to battle from a 4-0 deficit. We didn't give up, though, and had some good at bats late in the game but we just didn't get it done."

With the win, Barstow finishes 12-3 in conference and clinches at least a share of the IEAC title. Chaffey must win both games against COD to secure co-champion status (and with it the Panthers would be the conference's number-one seed heading into playoffs).  "It's hard to beat any team three times and credit goes to Barstow, they played with intensity and effort."

The Panthers face off against #3 Desert today at home beginning at 1:30pm.  In their last game, Chaffey was victorious 6-3.