Shusterich Home Run Powers Dramatic Comeback in Ninth, But Bulldogs Fall 10-8 in 10 to SBCC

Sophomore Jake Shusterich slugged a game-tying, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Allan Hancock College baseball team dropped a 10-8 decision in ten innings to Santa Barbara City College on Tuesday afternoon in a Western State Conference battle in Santa Maria. The Bulldogs and Vaqueros are both 6-7 in league play. Hancock dropped to 14-15 overall, while SBCC moved to 13-11.

Hancock trailed 8-4 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Travis Welker was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame. Reed Odland and Ismael Hernandez followed with singles to load the bases with nobody out against Conner Roberts. With Shusterich at the plate, a passed ball allowed all three runners to advance and Welker to score to make it an 8-5 game. It set the stage for a three-run blast by Shusterich, his second of the season, that capped a four-run rally and sent the game to extra innings.

The Vaqueros regained the lead in the tenth against Hernandez. A one-out walk, double, and intentional walk loaded the bases with one out. Hernandez struck out Alonzo Rubalcaba for the second out, but Boston Hubbard delivered a two-run single to plate two runs and give SBCC a 10-8 lead.

Hancock threatened in the home half when Welker drew a walk, Odland was hit by a pitch, and Hernandez drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Shusterich stepped up to the plate, looking to deliver for the second inning in a row, but Ian Churchill struck out the slugger to end the threat and the game.

The Bulldogs fell behind right out of the games as SBCC scored three times against Hancock starting pitcher Trevor Garcia. Hancock responded in the bottom of the second when Cameron Hirahara clubbed a two-run double and Mike McLean scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 3-3. After Jeff Ray walked to put runners on the corners with two outs, Odland singled home Hirahara to give Hancock a 4-3 lead. 

SBCC regained the lead with two runs in the third and another in the fifth to build a 6-4 lead. The Vaqueros pushed another pair of runs across in the eighth against Isaac Baez to take an 8-4 advantage.

Odland led Hancock's 12-hit attack with a 3-for-5 effort with an RBI. Shusterich and Zach Rudd had two hits apiece. Shusterich finished with 3 RBI, while Hirahara drove in two.

Garcia earned a no-decision, allowing seven hits, six runs, only two of them were earned, over five innings. He walked two and struck out seven. Baez allowed two runs over three innings. He gave up five hits, walked three, and struck out four. Nathan Alcantar threw a scoreless inning of relief. Hernandez allowed two runs, two hits, issued two walks, and fanned two in one frame of relief. The four pitchers racked up 13 total strikeouts.

SBCC compiled 18 hits, led by four from Patrick Caufield, and three apiece from Rubalcaba and Hubbard. Five SBCC pitchers combined to strike out 18 hitters. Roberts struck out 11 over 6 2/3 innings, scattering nine hits, three walks, five runs, and Shusterich's home run.  

Hancock will look to get back on track Thursday, April 4, when the Bulldogs play at SBCC. First pitch will be at 2:30 PM.