MODESTO – A tough start to the 2024 season continues for the West Hills College Coalinga baseball team. On Saturday, the Falcons lost both games of a non-conference doubleheader at Modesto Junior College.

West Hills fell 4-1 in the opener and couldn't hold a late lead in a 5-4 setback later that afternoon.

The Falcons best chance at a win came in Game 2. With the score tied 3-3, West Hills manufactured a run in the top of the eighth inning, getting a go-ahead RBI-single Paul Martinez that scored Keito Takahashi.

The Falcons went into the bottom of the frame with a 4-3 advantage that didn't last long as Modesto rallied for two runs to go out in front for the first time. In the ninth, the Falcons had the tying run on third base with no outs but could not bring home Aviram Ramirez.

The Falcons put up three run in the top of the second. Jay Cerda and Champ Tenorio had RBI bunts and Jacob Mainer hit a sacrifice fly.

Emiliano Murrillo had a quality start on the mound for West Hills. He allowed 3 runs and 7 hits over 6 /23 innings.

The Falcons totaled just 4 hits in Game 1 against the Pirates, led by a 2 for 3 effort at the plate by Ramirez. His RBI double in the fourth scored Izzy Ramos for WHCC's lone run.

Alex Robles took the loss in the start after allowing 4 runs (3 earned) and 8 hits over 4 innings. He struck out 4.

The Falcons are still in search of their first win and are now 0-5 overall to open the season. West Hills is back in action on Tuesday (Feb. 6) when it hosts Sacramento City College in its home opener at 2 p.m.