American River College defeated Modesto JC 11-5 at Beaver Field on Tuesday, winning their final home game of the season.  Sophomore Dillon Bowers (Dripping Springs, TX) threw 6 1/3 innings in picking up the win.  Sophomore Tommy Balmain (Oakmont) came on in relief and struck out all 5 batters he faced, then freshman Ian Codina (Oakmont) came on in the 9th and struck out two of the three he faced.  Bowers struck out five, for a season high 12 strikeouts for the pitching staff on the day. 

With Codina coming in in the 9th inning he set the single season Appearances record for pitchers, making his 25th appearance of the season, breaking the mark of 24 set by Ray Domecq in 1988.

The Beavers got on the board in the 1st inning when Modesto was unable to turn a double play, allowing 2B Robert Contreras (Antelope) to score.  3B Brayden Gomez (Bella Vista) then doubled down the right field line to score 1B Kirby Broadbent (Oakmont) who had reached on the fielders choice.

The 3rd inning is when Modesto allowed A.R.C. to break the game open.  With two outs and just a runner on 2nd, Gomez walked.  That was followed by a double down the right field line by LF Mike Hatfield (Del Campo) to score Contreras.  After a walk by DH Taylor Angley-Holman (Enterprise) loaded the bases, C Matt Elliott (Oakmont) walked, CF Justin Jordan (Folsom) was hit by a pitch, RF Cade Parker (Yreka) walked, and then Robert Contreras did the same.  The Beavers took a 7-1 lead into the 4th inning on just 4 hits. 

Modesto fought right back though, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 4th to make the game close again at 7-4. 

The Beavers added an insurance run in the 6th inning when Mike Hatfield hit a sharp grounder to second with the infield drawn in, but SS Jared Biggs (Del Campo) was able to score as the ball was bobbled. 

The Pirates got their final run off of Bowers in the 7th to make the game 8-5, but the Beavers came right back and scored three in the bottom of the 8th, with the big blow coming on a Mike Hatfield ground ball to third with the infield in again, which was mishandled for an error, allowing two runs to score.

The win insures that American River wins the season series from Modesto and guarantees the Beavers a 5th place finish in the BIG 8.  It also means that the sophomores of the 2016 team will go out with a victory at home.

Modesto and A.R.C. wrap up the 2016 regular season in Modesto on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.