Four-Run Seventh Helps Bulldogs Topple Giants 6-4, Hancock Baseball Remains Unbeaten at Home in 2018

FOUR-RUN SEVENTH HELPS BULLDOGS STAY PERFECT AT HOME, HANCOCK BASEBALL TOPPLES GIANTS 6-4
A four-run seventh inning propelled the Allan Hancock College baseball team to a 6-4 win over College of the Sequoias on Tuesday afternoon. The Bulldogs remained undefeated at John Osborne Field and improved to 7-0 at home and 8-7 overall. The Giants fell to 7-9.

The decisive four-run rally started when Davy Demeter reached second base on an error and moved to third on a single from Quinntin Perez. Daniel Curiel signed home Demeter to give Hancock a 3-2 lead. Ismael Hernandez followed with a single to load the bases and force a pitching chance. Cordell Bowie drew a bases-loaded walked to force in Perez to extend Hancock's lead to 4-2. Brian Dowell followed with a sacrifice fly to right field allowing Curiel to score the Bulldogs' third run of the inning. After Brendan Gomez singled to load the bases again, Hancock catcher Reed Odland drew a walk to force in Hernandez and collect an RBI to give Hancock a 6-2 lead.

The Giants rallied in the top of the ninth against reliever Phil Almanza for two unearned runs, but Hernandez induced the game-ending groundball to preserve the win and earn his fourth save. Nic Cardinal earned the win by throwing seven innings of solid ball for the Bulldogs. He scattered five hits and two runs, walking one and striking out one to improve to 3-1.

Sequoias scored twice in the top of the second against Cardinal to take the early 2-0 lead. Hancock tied it in the bottom of the third when Jake Shusterich delivered a two-out, two-run single to drive in Perez and Demeter to make it a 2-2 game.

Gomez led the Bulldogs nine-hit attack with two hits in four at-bats. Demeter and Perez both scored twice. Shusterich finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBI.

The Bulldogs and Giants are scheduled to meet again at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at College of the Sequoias.

Hancock will first host Taft on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in search of its eight straight win at home to open the 2018 season.