Bulldogs Fall 11-7 at Rival Cuesta

(SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA) The Cougars erupted for five runs in two separate innings as Cuesta College baseball defeated Allan Hancock College 11-7 in a Western State Conference battle on Thursday. The Bulldogs lost for the first time in three meeting with the Cougars this season. 

Hancock dropped to 5-6 in conference and 15-9-1 overall. Cuesta improved to 2-9 in conference and 6-18 for the season.

Hancock scored three in the top of the first to take an early 3-0 lead behind a two-run single from Cameron Ketchen and a RBI-single from Angel Guillen. However, the Cougars responded with five runs in the bottom half to take the lead for good against Hancock starter Marc Baker. The sophomore did not retire any of the five batters he faced. He was charged with five earned runs after he walked one and allowed four hits. The Nipomo High School graduate dropped to 4-2 on the season. Jesse Clingman relieved Baker and went 4 1/3 innings. He allowed four hits and four runs. He walked four and struck out two. John Drury allowed one run, two walks and two hits in 2/3 of an inning as Cuesta scored five more in the fifth to take a commanding 10-3 lead.   

The Bulldogs added two in the sixth on Roger Guillen's second RBI single. The Pioneer Valley High School graduate later scored in the inning on a wild pitch. Hancock score another two runs in the eighth when Jacob Witkowski doubled home Angel Guillen. Ryan Welker followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to allow Roger Guillen to tag up and score from third.

Freshman Troy Prober threw 2 2/3 innings of relief for Hancock. The Righetti High School graduate allowed two hits and one run. He fanned two. Cody Thompson also retired one batter in the eighth inning.

Witkowski and Ketchen had two hits each for the Bulldogs, while Angel Guillen went 3 for 4. The Bulldogs lost despite collecting 13 hits to 12 from Cuesta. The Bulldogs committed three errors.

Five Cougars had two hits each. Clayton Schuler, David Belt and Myles Franklin drove in two runs apiece for Cuesta.  Four Cuesta pitchers combined to strikeout 11 Bulldogs. Cameron Trichka earned the win with four solid innings of relief that included five strikeouts. 

Hancock will look to bounce back on Saturday when the Bulldogs host Cuesta. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.