Thompson, Smith Lead Hancock to 8-0 Win in Home Opener

Nathan Thompson threw another gem and Kyle Smith drove in four runs as the Allan Hancock College baseball team blanked West Hills Coalinga 8-0 on Wednesday in the Bulldogs' home opener.

Thompson, a Santa Ynez High School graduate, struck out nine in six shutout innings. The left-handed sophomore scattered three hits and five walks to improve to 2-0 on the season. Freshman Matt Shackley fanned four in three shutout innings to earn the save in his Bulldogs' debut.

Hancock, which was ranked 15^th in the regional preseason poll, improved to 3-1 and handed 3-1 West Hills its first loss of the season.

The Bulldogs broke open a scoreless game with a five-run third inning. West Hills starting pitcher Oscar Gonzalez walked the bases loaded when Smith cleared the bases with a two-out triple to plate Ryan Welker, Felipe Gonzalez and Cameron Ketchen. Brooks Fages followed with a single to drive in Smith to make it 4-0 Bulldogs. After Zach Nyman singled to move Fages to third, Lompoc High School graduate Evan Aguilar followed with a base hit to score Fages to cap the five-run frame.

Hancock added two runs in the seventh after Nyman scored on a wild pitch and Aguilar sprinted home later in the inning on a passed ball.  Smith completed the Hancock scoring with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Ketchen in the eighth inning. 

The Bulldogs racked up 11 hits.  Welker, a sophomore catcher, went 2 for 2. Fages, Nyman and Aguilar each went 2 for 4.

Hancock continues its six-game home stand on Friday against Imperial Valley. First pitch is at 2 p.m., with Saturday's series finale set to begin at 1 p.m.