American River College could not overcome a rough start in the BIG 8 Conference opener dropping the first game of the series 11-4 at Cosumnes River College on Tuesday.  Freshman LHP Sean Miller (Granite Bay) allowed 5 runs in the first two innings, but settled down after that, as he blanked CRC over the next three innings.  The 6^th inning was where CRC broke open the game as three of the first four Hawks batters singled off Miller, followed by a walk.  Freshman RHP Justin Borchard (Woodland) came on in relief and threw a wild pitch on his first pitch to allow a run, then gave up a run scoring single to put the score up to 8-1 at the time.  A.R.C. answered back with a run in the top of the 7^th on a double by freshman 1B Lane Field (Whitney).  It was Field's second RBI of the game.  After a scoreless 7^th inning, CRC got to Borchard in the 8^th after a leadoff single and  a double put runners at 2^nd and 3^rd with no outs.  After a wild pitch allowed another run, the next batter hit a hard shot off the leg of Borchard who hobbled to get the ball but threw wildly to first.  Freshman RHP Shawn Roberts (Del Campo) came in for Borchard and after recording an out allowed a single that scored the final run for the Hawks.  A.R.C. did score twice in the 9^th as sophomore SS Matt Clarke (Bella Vista) singled to left to score freshman Ray Henry (Colfax) and sophomore 2B Christian Murua (Grant).

The two teams will meet up for game two of the series on Wednesday to try and beat the upcoming rain storm.