Baseball:
It seems that every time the Rancho Cucamonga baseball team gets knocked on its butt, they get up and take a step forward.
RCHS entered the playoffs after a disappointing three-game sweep at the hands of the Baseline League champions from Damien.
The Cougars finished fourth and had to travel to Orange County in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs.
But Jacob Billings got the ball and stood tall all game.
Billings went the distance, allowing two runs on seven hits in the Cougars’ 7-2 victory at El Modena.
He walked two and struck out 12 Vanguards’ batters.
Offensively, Jake Brown doubled, scored and drove in two runs.
Jayden Lopez went 2-for-4, with an RBI and run scored.
Michael Woodward singled, scored and had an RBI.
Wilson Dunn singled and scored a pair of runs.
Noel Cesena and Jacob McCombs scored one run apiece in the win.
Up next: RCHS will host La Sierra on Tuesday.
The Eagles (24-5) defeated visiting Culver City, 6-3, in their first-round game on Friday.
Box Score:
RC: 0-0-1-0-6-0-0-(7)
EM: 0-0-1-1-0-0-0-(2)
Win: Jacob Billings
Loss: Aaron Ceniceros
2B: Jake Brown (RC), Nick Mascaro (EM)
Records: Rancho Cucamonga (19-11); El Modena (13-14)