California City Whiptails Hold Off High Desert Yardbirds 6-4

July 4 2017 The California City Whiptails defeated the High Desert Yardbirds 6-4 at Balsitis Park. California City finished with 10 hits and no errors while High Desert also collected 10 hits but committed three errors.

The Whiptails took control with one run in the fourth inning and three in the fifth. High Desert answered with two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh but could not complete the comeback. California City added one run in both the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the lead.

Austin Marcellus led California City with three hits in five at-bats, while Maikel Serrano and Robert De La Hoz each had two hits. Steven Longo and Ryan Cerda recorded the Whiptails RBIs. For High Desert, Patrick Jones hit two home runs and drove in two runs, and Travon Jackson added a home run and an RBI. Jones scored twice and Blane Swift and Jackson also scored for the Yardbirds.

Elvin Jorge earned the win after allowing three runs on eight hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked four. Ryan Cerda worked two innings and Kevin Kelleher completed the ninth for the save. High Desert starter Jordan Norton took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, on eight hits over five innings while striking out four.