Bulldogs Take Series Over Cuesta with Game Three Victory

Bulldogs Take Series Over Cuesta with Game Three Victory
March 5, 2022

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College baseball program came on late to secure the win in the final contest of a three-game series against Cuesta College. | BOX SCORE

The Cougars (8-11, 4-2 WSC) struck first after a double down the right field line scored one in the second, but the home squad responded in the same frame with a three-run effort to take the lead. Luke Wenzel drove the first tally home with a fielder's choice, while Jacob Steels plated two after registering a stand-up triple after a shot through the left side. Cuesta went up again by one after putting together their own three-run rally in the third, but the Bulldogs (11-6, 3-3 WSC) answered by matching that effort in the fifth. Jacob Ortega scored the first runner with a single up the middle. Caelan Dalman followed suit by driving one runner in with a single to right center before finding his own way home after capitalizing on a wild pitch.

Cuesta tacked on one last run in the top of the eighth before the Bulldogs put the game out of reach with a six-run string in the bottom of the frame. Steels started the scoring frenzy by plating a pair of runners on a single, followed by an RBI single to right-center from Parker Haskell that added to the pile. Steels and Vander Hodges both made it home after scoring on wild pitches while Dylan Howell capitalized on an error to add a run. 

Steels led the Bulldogs at the plate with a 4-for-5 effort that included four RBIs, one run, and a triple. Dalman and Joey Freitas also recorded multiple hits on the day and combined for five runs.

Luke Kovach collected his second win of the season on the bump after tossing 4.1 innings. He struck out five batters and surrendered three earned runs on just as many hits while walking seven batters. Bradley Waite picked up his first save of the season after 2.2 innings of work. He sat down two batters and allowed one earned run after giving up two hits. Vance Serrano earned the start but did not factor into the final decision after a brief two-inning appearance. 

The Bulldogs are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, March 8th, at home in a series opener against Oxnard College. First pitch is set for 2 PM on John Osborne Field.