Sophomore LHP Matt Gunter (Bella Vista) came up two outs short of a complete game shutout on Tuesday, as American River College defeated the host Sierra College Wolverines 4-2 in Rocklin.  A.R.C. jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, with the first run scored by Cameron Bennett (Rio Linda) on an Alex Gaskin (Jesuit) single up the middle with one out.  After LF Jimmy Lunardelli (Oakmont) singled, 1B Dalton deVries (Oakmont) hit a grounder to second to force Lunardelli but the return throw to first pulled Sierra's first baseman off the bag allowing Gaskin to score.  It was one of many miscues on the day for Sierra defensively.  In the 3rd inning Lunardelli doubled down the left field line on a ball that hit the third base bag.  deVries then delivered a 2 out single up the middle to score Lunardelli.  The Beavers were held at bay until the 8th inning when Gaskin reached second on a throwing error by Sierra's third baseman, Dom Bethancourt.  Dalton deVries then delivered again, this time with a two out single to right to score Gaskin. 

Sierra didn't score until the 9th when Gunter gave up a leadoff single, at the time just the 4th hit of the game for Sierra.  He then struck out the next batter, but followed that up with a walk and an RBI double to put Sierra on the board.  He was relieved by sophomore Mike Marlar (Casa Roble) who retired the next two batters on four pitches to pick up his 8th save of the season.  His 8 saves puts him tied for 3rd on the Beavers single season save leaders, tied with Kevin Galart (1990), Rob Luce (1995), and Ryan Knippschild (2002).  It also ties him with several others for 4th all-time in career saves.  It also has him tied for the state lead in saves for this season. 

A.R.C. and Sierra meet for game 2 of the series at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at Beaver Field, followed by the series finale at Sierra on Friday at 1:00 p.m.