Baseball Closes Regular Season with Split, Advances to SoCal Regional Playoffs

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College baseball team wrapped up the regular season finale by splitting a pair of games against Western State Conference (WSC) foes at home. 

In Thursday's matchup against Santa Barbara City College, the Bulldogs battled but ultimately fell 10-4. Hancock kept the game close through the middle innings before the visiting Vaqueros pulled away with a six-run showing in the ninth. Despite the final score, AHC saw notable performances at the plate, including a multi-hit effort from Josue Garcia, who went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Matt Kovach added to the effort by driving in a team-high of two runs. Jaiden Turner delivered a quality start in a non-decision showing, followed by a 3.1 inning appearance in relief from Hunter Beck. The duo combined for seven strikeouts, but Beck was charged with the loss after the ninth inning rally. Liam Taft closed out the contest with a 0.2 inning appearance. 

The Bulldogs bounced back with a dominating 14-4 victory over Ventura College on Friday afternoon. After a scoreless first two innings, the Bulldogs broke through with a run in the third before erupting for nine runs in the fourth inning to take firm control. AHC pounded out 13 hits overall and showed impressive patience at the plate, drawing six walks while striking out just five times.

Andrew Sandoval provided a major spark from the top of the order, driving in three runs with a hit and a sacrifice fly. Colin Johnston and J. Garcia each added two hits, with Johnston lacing a double and Garcia reaching base four times after two hits and two walks. J. Garcia also scored three runs and added an RBI. Cesar Garcia and M. Kovach also contributed multi-hit efforts as the Bulldogs spread the offense throughout the lineup.

On the mound, Ryan Cronk earned the win by tossing five solid innings and scattering nine hits while limiting the Pirates to two runs. Austin Moccardini and the bullpen finished strong, allowing just two more runs over the final four innings while striking out five.

Hancock closed out the regular season slate with an overall record of 22-18 while going 13-11 against league foes, placing them fourth in the final conference standings. They have qualified for the Southern California Regional Tournament for the third consecutive season and picked up the No. 21 seed. They will travel to face No. 4 Cerritos College, the runner-up of the South Coast Conference, for a best-of-three series this weekend. Game one will begin on Friday (May 2) at 2 PM, followed by game two on Saturday (May 3) at 11 AM. The "if necessary" game is slated for 2 PM on Saturday afternoon. To view the full bracket, please click here.

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