Trojans Clinch Conference Championship
Entering the final four games of conference play, the #6 ranked Skyline College Trojan baseball team had a one game lead in the Coast North Conference. Following their third straight win on Tuesday, the Trojans have clinched a minimum of a co-championship, the second in school history and first since 2004.
The big week began with a home contest against the visiting Bulldogs from College of San Mateo on Thursday, April 21st. The Trojans struck early and never looked back on their way to an 8-1 win. Freshman third baseman Dom Meza led the offense with a three for three day, while hitting two homeruns and driving in five of the Trojans eight runs. Fellow freshman Rowen Barnes was magnificent on the mound, tossing six innings on one run ball, while only allowing three hits and striking out three.
The two-game series against the Bulldogs continued Saturday, April 23rd at College of San Mateo. The Bulldogs struck first and took a 4-0 lead. However, in the top of 5th inning the Trojans stormed back in a major way putting up seven runs on seven hits. The big inning was highlighted by a grand slam by freshman outfielder Jesse Pierce and a three-run homerun by fellow freshman outfielder Max Coupe. The Trojans would go on to win the game 9-6 and take the season series against the Bulldogs three games to one.
On Tuesday, April 26th the Trojans looked to clinch the co-championship with a home contest against the visiting Gladiators from Chabot College. The Trojans and Gladiators would play a scoreless game into the 4th inning, when Chabot would take a 1-0 lead on back-to-back doubles. However, the lead was short lived as the Trojans bounced back in the bottom half of the inning in a big way, putting up six runs. The six-run inning was highlighted by a three-run homerun by freshman designated hitter Cam Grant. From there the Trojans would never look back as freshman pitcher Conor Hourigan was outstanding on the mound, finishing with seven innings pitched, while allowing only two runs and four hits. The game would finish 10-4 in favor of the home Trojans, clinching a minimum of a co-championship for Skyline College.
The Trojans will finish the regular season on the road at Chabot College on Thursday, April 28th. With a win, Skyline College would clinch its first conference championship outright and second overall. Freshman righthander, Rowen Barnes is scheduled to start the game, with first pitch set for 2:30 PM.