photo by Mike Daly

REDDING, Calif. – Easton Waterman ripped a two-run walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to lift Shasta College's baseball team to a 6-5 victory over Butte College Thursday in the final game of the season.

The Knights fell to the Roadrunners 6-1 on Wednesday to split the Golden Valley Conference doubleheader, losing the season series 3-2.

In the victory, Shasta's Daniel Duarte's RBI double and Shawn Florence's RBI single gave the Knights a 4-3 advantage. Sam Wells surrendered the lead on the mound by giving up an RBI double and an RBI single in the ninth.

Once again, Knights rallied.

Hunter Rasica led off the frame with a single, followed by Brian Pino's hit-by-pitch. Eric Spencer grounded out to third for a sacrifice and moved the runners in scoring position. That set up Waterman – Shasta's season-leader in hits (39), doubles (13), RBIs (20), extra base hits (14), and total bases (55) – for a two-run single to win it in dramatic fashion in the ninth at home.

Waterman was 2 for 4 with the pair of RBIs, Rasica was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs, Brandon Anderson was 1 for 4 with an RBI, Duarte was 1 for 2 with a double, two walks, an RBI and two runs; Jakob Weiser was 1 for 4 with an RBI; and Florence was 1 for 4 with an RBI.

Anthony Becerra tossed 7.2 innings as the starter for the Knights. He struck out two, walked two and allowed three runs on five hits to receive a no-decision. Wells was credited with the win to move to 7-5 on the year, despite giving up two runs on three hits in one inning of relief.

In Wednesday's loss, Shasta committed four errors and only had one extra base hit in the game – a double from Weiser, who was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Anderson was 1 for 4 with a stolen base and a run, and Austin Healy and Duarte each had a hit.

Kolby Button took the loss for the Knights on the mound after giving up three runs – none earned – on five hits in 5.2 innings. Button also struck out one and walked two.

Shasta finishes the year fourth in the GVC standings with a 12-13 record and ended the year 17-23 overall.

GVC Standings
#9 Feather River 20-5, 30-10*
Butte 16-9, 23-17*
Lassen 12-13, 18-22
Shasta 12-13, 17-23
Redwoods 9-16, 16-24
Siskiyous 6-19, 13-23
Note: CCCSIA State Poll
*Made CCCAA Regional Playoff