A strong all-around performance helped Cerritos College secure a 7-2 victory over Sacramento City College in non-conference baseball action Thursday afternoon at Kincaid Field.

The Falcons used timely hitting and solid pitching to take control early and never looked back, improving behind a balanced offensive effort and a composed outing on the mound.

Sacramento City struck first in the top of the opening inning on a sacrifice fly by Sam Marr, but Cerritos quickly answered in the bottom half. Mateo Heredia tied the game with an RBI groundout, setting the tone for the Falcons' response.

Cerritos took the lead for good in the second inning, capitalizing on early opportunities. Luke Crowder drove in a run on a fielder's choice before Brody Cuellar delivered the key hit of the inning with a two-run single to extend the lead to 4-1.

The Panthers got one run back in the third on an RBI single from Ethan Groves, but the Falcons continued to apply pressure. Adam Smith added an RBI groundout later in the third inning, and Cerritos pushed its advantage to 6-2 in the fifth when Alejandro Rosas reached on an error that allowed Heredia to score.

Smith capped the scoring in the eighth inning with a solo home run to give Cerritos a five-run cushion.

On the mound, Nolan Patterson earned the win to improve to 6-3 on the season. He went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits while walking three. Lakaea Correa provided two strong innings of relief, striking out two, and Heredia closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning.

Offensively, Cerritos tallied seven hits, with Cuellar driving in two runs and Smith also recording a pair of RBI. Rosas led the way with two hits and an RBI, while Crowder and Heredia each added a run batted in.