Sonny Day: Hancock Freshman Shines in First Start, Bulldogs Blank Cuesta 3-0

Freshman left-hander Evan Sonny threw seven-shutout innings in his first start of the season to lead the Allan Hancock College baseball team to a 3-0 win over Cuesta College on Saturday in a Western State Conference battle. The Bulldogs improved to 4-5 in conference and 11-15 overall. The Cougars fell to 5-3 in league and 10-15 on the year. 

Sonny scattered four hits and issued one walk over seven innings to pick up his first win of the year. The freshman struck out three along the way. Prior to this game, his longest outing had been 2 1/3 innings in relief.

Hancock scored the first run of the game in the fifth inning. Sophomore Ryan Peinado hit a two-out double. Chris Taitague followed with an infield single, but on the play Peinado came around to score on an error by the Cuesta shortstop.

Phil Almanza completed the shutout for the Bulldogs with two innings of relief. The freshman allowed one hit, walked one and fanned one Cougar to earn the save and preserve the victory.

Hancock finished with six hits, including three doubles. First baseman Robbie Silva had two hits to lead Cuesta's five-hit effort. 

The Bulldogs will travel to Cuesta for a 2:30 p.m. game on Tuesday, March 28. Hancock will host Santa Barbara City College Thursday, March 30.