The MSJC baseball team broke open a close game by scoring 8 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on Tuesday and defeated visiting Cerro Coso 15-5 in 7 innings.

The Eagles fell behind on two separate occasions in the game Tuesday as Cerro Coso struck for a pair of first inning runs to grab a 2-0 lead.  MSJC responded in the bottom of the third by scoring three times to take a one run advantage.  In the third it was Aaron Harper who got things going when he doubled down the left field line to drive in both Jaden Jones and Julian Gonzalez.  Simon Rangel then picked up an RBI on a ground ball to short that brought Harper across the plate.  Coso would reclaim the lead in the top of the sixth when they scored three times, including two unearned runs as they went ahead 5-3.

The game from that point on was all Eagles as they rallied to score 8 times in the bottom of the sixth and gain control of the game.  Aiden Bruce had the first RBI of the inning when he singled to left center driving in Russell Mitchell.  Gonzalez , Harper, Rangel, and Patrick McDonald Jr. all added single RBIs in the frame while Mitchell drove in two with a triple to left center.  MSJC kept up the pressure in the 7th as they scored 4 more times to invoke the 10 run rule and end the contest.  Harper drove in yet another run in the 7th while Ricky Nunez knocked in a pair with a single.

McDonald Jr. went six strong innings on the mound for the Eagles earning the victory.  He gave up just 3 earned runs on 7 hits while striking out five and issuing just one walk.  Alex Banuelos threw a scoreless 7th for MSJC.

Harper finished the day 3 for 5 at the plate with 4 RBIs, Jones, Mitchell, Bruce, and Gonzalez each ended the day with two hits a piece.  Seven different Eagles drove in at least one run.

MSJC, who improved to 7-2 with the win will conclude their abbreviated season today (May 19th) when they once again host Cerro Coso.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.