FAIRFIELD, CA (MPG) – The 2022 Cordova High School varsity baseball team’s season came to an end on May 10 with a 10-0 shutout loss at Rodriguez of Fairfield in the first round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Baseball Playoffs.

The Lancers (20-6-2, 15-0 Greater Sacramento League) were big underdogs going into the postseason as the No. 15 seed matched up against the No. 2 seeded Mustangs (26-4, 13-2 Monticello Empire). The game ended after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Rodriguez jumped on Cordova early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Mustangs scored in every inning, adding one in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth and two more in the fifth to win 10-0.

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Six Rodriguez batters had at least one run batted in. Junior third baseman Michael Boals had the most on the team with three. Sophomore outfielder Kyle Sandner was perfect at the plate, recording two hits (one double), two RBI, one run scored and one walk in three plate appearances.

Senior pitcher Grant Kerr earned the win for the Mustangs by pitching a complete game, tossing five scoreless innings allowing four hits, one walk and one stolen base with five strikeouts on 80 pitches. Rodriguez advanced to the semifinals of the bracket but were eliminated on May 18 by No. 3 Granite Bay, who ultimately won the CIF SJS D2 Championship.

Despite the first round exit, the Lancers should be proud of what they accomplished this season. After beginning the season 1-4, Cordova lost only one game until the playoffs. In fact, the Lancers had separate unbeaten streaks of seven and 14 games in 2022. Cordova won the GSL with an impressive 15-0 record in league play.

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The Lancers have eight players graduating in the Class of 2022. The following seniors will not be returning next season: Outfielder Dylan Nester, infielder Tristan Wolfgram, pitcher Justin Nelson, first baseman Andrew Tran, pitcher and captain Matt Jernigan, pitcher Troy Combs, pitcher Cody Fennel and infielder Ashton Ready.

The season may be over for Cordova, but there is still one more chance to see a couple Lancers in action locally before they move on to college. Combs and Jernigan were both selected to play in the 51st Annual Optimist High School Baseball All-Star Games on June 12.

The two Lancers will be playing for the small schools’ South Team with first pitch at Army Depot Park scheduled for 4 P.M. General admission is $10, $8 for seniors (65+), $5 for students, $3 for kids under 12 and free for kids under 5.