As the 2017 American River College Beavers say goodbye to the outgoing sophomores, the season ended in opposite fashion to how it began.  The season started with a 9 game winning streak, and with the loss on Friday, it ended with a 6 game losing streak.  It was the second time in three years that the season ended with an extra inning game.  In 2015 the Beavers defeated visiting Diablo Valley College 9-8 on the season's final day.  The Beavers got out to a 2-0 lead in the 3^rd inning after RF Edgar Gallardo (Riverside Poly) led off with a single, followed by a double by 2B Matt Clarke (Bella Vista).  S Will Floyd (Rocklin) then grounded out to second to score Gallardo and move Clarke to third.  3B Sonny Ledford (Rio Americano) then singled in Clarke for his team leading 31^st RBI of the season.  Cosumnes River tied the game in the 5^th off of starter Micah Gunter (Valley Christian) who went eight strong innings to end up leading the BIG 8 Conference in innings pitched on the season.  A.R.C. then took back the lead in the bottom of the 5^th after Ledford led off with an infield single and he advanced on a throwing error by CRC.  With two outs LF Justin Hanlin (Whitney) singled down the line to score Ledford.  After an errant pickoff allowed Hanlin to advance to second, DH Andrew Fuentes (Pioneer) singled to bring in Hanlin to put the Beavers up 4-2.  A couple of defensive miscues allowed the Hawks to tie the game in the 7^th, but Gunter was able to pitch out of a bases loaded no out jam to keep the game tied at four.  2B Matt Clarke made the defensive play of the game in that inning with a fully extended diving catch of a line drive to save a couple of runs. 

With sophomore closer Ian Codina (Oakmont) on the mound in the 9^th the Hawks could not muster any offense but in the 10^th a leadoff single was followed by a stolen base and a walk.  After a groundout put runners at 2^nd and 3^rd with one out the Beavers had the infield in to prevent the run from scoring but the next ground ball was hit slowly enough that the run was still able to sneak home and put CRC on top.  A.R.C. hit the ball hard in the 10^th but could not get a run and the season was over.

The 2017 American River College baseball team would like to thank all of those who supported the team this season and are looking forward to seeing you in 2018.