American River College missed out on an attempt for the sweep of the 3 game series against Sierra College on Friday, dropping game three 4-2 in a game that was very exciting all the way to the end.  The Beavers defense allowed Sierra to score a couple of their runs, but the Beavers defense also took away some opportunities, throwing out two runners at the plate, catching a runner stealing and turning a line drive with runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out into an inning ending double play.  Offensively the Beavers didn't get on the board until they were down 3-0 in the 6th inning.  Sophomore 1B Dalton deVries (Oakmont) laced a two out single to right to score SS Steve Mercado (Antelope) who had walked.  A.R.C. closed the gap in the 7th when C Bryan Babcock (Antelope) scored from second on a single to left by 2B Cameron Bennett (Rio Linda).  On the tail end of that play Steve Mercado had advanced to second then moved to third when Sierra's catcher made an errant throw trying to pick Mercado off second.  Sierra got the run back in the bottom half of the inning though when a one out line drive to left was misplayed by LF Jimmy Lunardelli (Oakmont).  As the runner on first raced towards the plate Steve Mercado's relay throw to the plate was just in time to get the Sierra runner.  The next batter singled off of reliever Kyle Grant (Burbank) to put the Wolverines up 4-2.  The Beavers made it interesting in the 9th after Babcock led off with a walk, pinch-hitter Colton Freeman (El Camino) singled up the middle.  Steve Mercado then bunted to put the tying run at 2nd with one out.  Cameron Bennett fouled out to first and RF Alex Gaskin (Jesuit) hit a ground ball to the left side that looked sure to get through but Sierra's third baseman was deep enough to get a glove on the ball ad throw Gaskin out at first to end the game.

A.R.C. hosts Diablo Valley College in the last week of the regular season on Tuesday and Friday.  The Beavers are still in the playoff hunt, with a sweep of DVC most likely earning them a playoff bid.