Baseball Falls in Non-Conference Showdown Versus Rio Hondo

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College baseball team fell short in a non-conference contest against Rio Hondo College in a 3-2 decision at John Osborne Field on Thursday afternoon. | BOX SCORE

Both teams were scoreless through the first five frames as the pitchers controlled the pace by allowing just six total hits for both sides. The Roadrunners (16-13) got on the board first in the sixth with a single to shallow center that plated one. Evan Steinberger evened the playing field one inning later with an RBI single up the middle that scored one, but Rio Hondo regained the lead in the eighth with a two-run dinger. Steinberger came through once more in the final inning by driving in one run on a shot through the left side, but the Bulldogs (14-14) were unable complete the comeback after leaving runners stranded at first and third as the game came to a close.

Steinberger led the home squad with a 4-for-5 effort at the plate and a pair of RBIs. Luke Wenzel also finished the day with a multi-hit performance, notching two through three appearances, while Jacob Steels added a pair of stolen bases to his season total. 

Nate Wenzel (5-3) earned the start and was charged with the loss on the bump after eight innings. He sat down four batters and walked two after surrendering three earned runs on six hits. Luke Kovach entered as the closer with a non-decision performance in the final inning, where he struck out one.

The Bulldogs are set to return to action on Tuesday, April 5th, at home for a Western State Conference showing against LA Pierce College. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 PM on John Osborne Field.