Rio Hondo’s men’s baseball team secured their third win of the season on Thursday at San Diego Mesa College by a score of 7-3.

Since they last met, San Diego Mesa has won their last four out of six games, and would attempt to prove themselves against Rio Hondo.

San Diego Mesa’s starting pitcher, Jacob Vermillon, was immediately put under pressure by the Roadrunners in the first inning. He gave up two hits to the first three batters placing baserunners at the corners with only one out.

Rio Hondo third baseman Mike Hernandez then grounded into a fielder’s choice, picking up the RBI and plating home teammate Gabe Chavez. Vermillon finished a shaky first inning with only one earned run on two hits.

San Diego Mesa was unable to match Rio Hondo’s run in their bottom half of the first, and Vermillon had an even tougher time in the second than he did at the start of the game.

After giving up a single in between fly-outs, Vermillon completely unraveled at that point by giving up a walk and another single that eventually loaded the bases for shortstop Mauricio Guadarrama.

Guadarrama got on base via the walk and earned an RBI with the designated hitter, Randy Buenrostro scoring from third.

With the bases still loaded, Vermillon’s day came to an abrupt end as his command failed him.

Batters R.J. Romo and Mike Hernandez were both hit by pitches in consecutive plate appearances, leaving Mesa’s coaching staff with no choice but to replace him with relief pitcher Erick Lopez.

Put in a bad spot from the get-go, Lopez was able to stop the bleeding by getting the final out. Thus keeping the Roadrunners lead at four.

That’s all the run support they would need for Rio Hondo starting pitcher Joe Willis, who completely kept San Diego Mesa hitters in check.

Willis ended up with eight innings pitched, giving up eight hits and just one run earned. He struck out six and only walked two.

The Roadrunners later added three more runs in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings. Taking a 7-1 lead into the last half inning of the game. Willis was replaced by relief pitcher Gabriel Juarez to finish the game, but needed to be replaced himself, after giving up consecutive hits.

Juarez’s replacement Preston Brown closed out the game, but not after Mesa home-plated two, giving them a final score of 7-3.

The Roadrunners then went on to play against Pasadena City College at Rio Hondo on Feb. 27 in a game which ended 3-2 in favor of Rio. The Roadrunners got their first back to back wins of the season.

Starting pitcher Brady Carlson went on to pitch seven scoreless innings against PCC which helped Rio Hondo secure their win. Rio Hondo now have an overall record of 4-7.

The Roadrunners will face Victor Valley College next at home on Mar. 1 as they look to continue their winning streak.