Auburn baseball roundup: Placer falls to Roseville, Bear River sweeps Center, Colfax splits with Lincoln

Placer dropped its three-game series to Roseville last week, losing two of three in Foothill Valley League play to drop to 4-2. The Tigers rode a six-run second inning to a 9-1 victory in the opener. Roseville totaled 14 hits, including five doubles. Ben Jordan went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two doubles, while Brett Reager finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Placer was limited to four hits, two each by Gabe Nucamendi and Will Rogers, and struck out 11 times. Placer's only run came in the seventh on an RBI by Robby Silski. Placer responded in game two with a 2-0 win on the road behind a shutout by Garrett Brink, who scattered six hits and one walk while striking out five. The Hillmen collected eight hits, with Rogers and Ryder Kile leading the way with two each. Jack Addison scored one run on an RBI double by Rogers in the fifth while Jesse Aday scored on an error in the second. In the rubber match in Auburn on Friday night, Roseville used a five-run first inning to secure a 6-5 win. The Hillmen chipped away, scoring two in the first, two in the third and one in the fourth to tie the score. The Tigers scored the go-ahead run in the fifth. Placer committed four errors, and only one of Roseville's six runs was earned. Jacob Welch drove in two runs for the Tigers, while Brett Reager had two hits and an RBI. Placer finished with seven hits and got home runs from Gavin Otis and Rogers, who combined for four RBIs. Colfax splits with Lincoln Colfax overcame a frustrating sweep by Marysville to begin Pioneer Valley League play with a series split against defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division V-champion Lincoln last week. In Wednesday's series opener, Colfax used a fast start to secure a 5-3 win at home. The Falcons scored four runs in the first inning despite finishing with just four hits. David Cleek went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a triple, while Jono Cleek added an RBI. Colfax also stole six bases, including three by Brady Stowers. On the mound, Jaimeson Rawlins went the distance, allowing eight hits and three runs, one earned, while striking out three and walking none. Lincoln scored all three of its runs in the seventh inning. Daxton Sampang went 2 for 4, while Declan Gonge finished 2 for 3 with an RBI. The Fighting Zebras responded Friday at home with an 11-5 win, using a big third inning to take control. Lincoln scored six runs in the third and finished with 10 hits with Sampang leading the way, going 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Dylan Knell and Tyler Silva each had two hits and two RBIs. Eli Duff also contributed with a hit and two RBIs. Colfax collected eight hits in the loss, led by Cole Hudson, who went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a double. David Cleek scored twice and added a hit, while Tyler McCabe and Lucas Clark each had a hit and a run. The Falcons (6-5-1, 1-3 PVL) dive back into PVL play April 8 against Center. Bear River sweeps Center Bear River completed a two-game sweep of Center, winning 7-3 and 7-4 to remain atop the PVL. On Wednesday in the series opener, the Bruins took control early and never gave it back, scoring in each of the first four innings. Brayden Estrada led the offense by going 2 for 3 with three RBIs, while Grayson Hudson added a hit and an RBI. Kaden Nicholls reached base multiple times, scoring three runs and swiping four bases as Bear River totaled eight steals. On the mound, Nicholls also handled the bulk of the work, pitching four innings and allowing just one hit and two unearned runs while striking out eight. Ryder Eason struck out four over two innings. Bear River limited the damage despite four errors, holding Center to four hits. In game two, Bear River again built an early lead and held off a late push to win 7-4. Blake Williams led the charge at the plate, going 3 for 5 with three RBIs and a double, while Cooper Lunsford reached base multiple times and scored a run. Nicholls and Seamus McKeown each added an RBI as the Bruins totald eight hits. McKeown earned the win, pitching five innings and allowing one run while striking out seven. Bear River (10-1, 4-0 PVL) will host Wheatland on Wednesday.