CSM opens April by falling to 3rd place

The Bulldogs (6-4, 19-10) entered play riding a six-game winning streak, but couldn’t overcome a glut of early runs by Mission. The Saints rallied for five in the top of the first and added three in the third. CSM starting pitcher Sean Prozell lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits to take the loss. The freshman right-hander’s record falls to 5-2.

CSM clawed its way back, scoring a run in the first, two in the fourth, and one each in the sixth and seventh to close the deficit to 8-6. The Bulldogs’ best chance came in the seventh by loading the bases with two outs. After sophomore Kevin Jordan drew a bases-loaded walk, however, Nick Knecht flew out to right field to end the threat.

The Bulldogs would never again get the potential tying run to the plate.

Chris Papapietro and Angelo Bortolin, each with three hits, paced the Bulldogs’ 11-hit day. Papapietro hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth, his second of the year. Bortolin produced two doubles. Brad Diggle and Ryan Gault had three hits each for Mission.

With 10 games remaining in the regular season, CSM still has plenty of control over its own destiny. On April 12 and 14, the Bulldogs play a two-game series with first-place Chabot, currently pacing CSM by two games in the Coast Golden Gate standings. The Bulldogs close the season April 24 and 26 with a two-game set against Mission.

With one month remaining in the community college baseball regular season, College of San Mateo fell to third place in the Coast Conference Golden Gate with a 9-6 loss to Mission College Tuesday at Bulldog Stadium.

With the win, Mission leapfrogs into second place, a half game ahead of CSM in the standings.

Skyline rallies late to down Cañada

The late innings haven’t been kind to Skyline College this season, but the Trojans (3-4 Coast Pacific, 7-21 overall) bucked that trend Tuesday with crooked numbers in the seventh and eighth to win 7-1 at Cañada (5-5, 15-16).

With the game 1-1 in the seventh, Skyline saw its first four batters of the inning reach base. Kaleb Keelean broke through with the bases loaded with an RBI single to break the deadlock. The freshman had his most productive game at the plate all season, going 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored.

Kaimama Bartolome and followed with a sacrifice fly and Max Jenkins added an RBI single. Skyline added three more in the eighth. Jenkins — making his first start of the year behind the plate — paced all hitters with a 3-for-5 day.

Skyline starting pitcher Aiden Yarwood earned his first collegiate win, working 8 2/3 innings while allowing one run on six hits. The freshman right-hander broke a personal six-game losing streak, improving his record to 1-6. Chris Zaldana took the loss for Cañada. His record falls to 0-4.