Never take any opportunity for granite. One of these days, your number will be called and it will be up to you to seize the moment. Los Medanos College’s own Taylor Maldonado did just that.

Maldonado started and played tremendously in his first official game of the 2019 season in the 5-3 victory against Diablo Valley College. Maldonado played like an absolute madman. Maldonado had three out of the four hits for Los Medanos, three out of the five runs batted in for Los Medanos and to top it all off, his runs batted in were all home runs. Both home runs, solo home run and two-run home run, were hit to left field.

“I came into the game looking for the approach to hit the ball hard anywhere and everywhere.” said Maldonado on his performance. “I’ve been working so hard in batting practice to try and get my swing where I want it and it showed today.”

While Maldonado put in the work on offense, Josh Penrod recollected himself following a rocky start to the game.

Penrod pitched for five full innings, allowed seven hits, three runs, a home run and 4 walks. Penrod struggled in the second inning allowing two runs and two hits but the following two innings he pitched were lights out. His final inning (5th inning), Penrod gave up a home run but managed to finish the rest of that inning.

“He had to battle through a little bit of a feel for his pitches.” said head coach D’Albora. “I don’t think his command was as good as he wanted early in the game and it’s easy on days like that to let it snowball on you and fight through it in anger and fight yourself.”

Penrod was later subbed out by Cole Christiensen, who was the game’s winning pitcher. Christensen pitched for 4 innings, allowed only 2 hits and 2 walks.

“As the game went, I think we loosened up a little bit.” said head coach D’Albora. “I think Cole on the mound was a big part of that. He came into the game and loose, he threw strikes and was confident.”

The Mustangs later came back to tie the game by the 6th inning scoring on errors and a fielder’s choice. Then finally take the lead in the 7th inning with Maldonado’s two-run home run.

Los Medanos College will now begin their regular season opening against Contra Costa College on March 5th.