WHITTIER --- His 22-season career has been filled with memorable moments.
For Rio Hondo College baseball head coach Mike Salazar, career win No. 500 will likely appear near the top of the list. But it almost didn't happen.
With Salazar sitting on 499 victories, the Roadrunners put together a late-game rally to give him the historic win on the first attempt, an 8-5 triumph over visiting Compton College on Tuesday afternoon at The Jungle on the campus of Rio Hondo.
Rio Hondo trailed 4-3 after six innings but tied up the ball game in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gabriel Rico.
Compton got that run back in the top of the eighth to go back out in front 5-4. But just like so many of his teams in the past, his 2022 Roadrunners grinded out a late comeback.
Rio Hondo scored four times in the bottom of the eighth, including a two-out, two-run single from Rafael Flores to take the lead. Reliever Blake Johnson set down Compton in order in the ninth to close out the come-from-behind win and make history.
Salazar's career record currently stands at 500 wins, 302 losses, and 1 tie for an impressive .623 winning percentage.
Salazar was grateful for the contributions of so many that helped him get to this point in his career.
"I want to thank all my coaches currently on staff, and all the previous coaches that were in the grind with me day in and day out, recruiting quality student-athletes that would be a great fit in our program," he said. "I also want to thank all my current and past players for giving me their absolute all every day, on the field, in the classroom, and as a positive member of society. We all have a choice each day, to be average, or to be great. Thanks for choosing to be great and working toward something bigger than yourselves."
The congratulatory messages poured in following the game, including from one of the best to ever suit up for Salazar and the Roadrunners, current San Francisco Giants third baseman and three-time American League All-Star Evan Longoria.
"I owe Mike for taking a chance on me and letting me become the player that I believed I could be," said Longoria. "I'm proud to say I was a Dirty Bird and that I was a small part of Sally getting to 500. Congrats coach!"
Longoria played shortstop for Salazar in 2004, a member of a squad that compiled 20 wins towards his career total. He earned All-Southern California as well as All-Foothill Conference honors after hitting .430 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI over 35 games. Longoria went on to play at Long Beach State before being selected as the third overall pick in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.
"I'm so overwhelmed with the amount of support I received today," Salazar said. "Former Dirty Birds calling, sending videos, and texting."
Rio Hondo is off to a terrific start, improving to 12-4 overall with today's win. The Roadrunners will look to keep the momentum going in South Coast Conference play as they are 3-1 and continue the three-game SCC series in Compton on Thursday at 2 p.m.
