Bulldog Baseball Suffers Walk-Off Loss at Moorpark

Allan Hancock College freshman right-hander Dylan Kelley threw a complete game, but the day belonged to Moorpark's A.J. Herron-Berrera, who delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to hand the Bulldogs a 2-1 loss on Thursday afternoon in a Western State Conference battle. Hancock fell to 8-9 in conference and 16-17 overall. The Raiders improved to 7-10 in league and 13-19 on the year.

Kelley, a Dos Pueblos High School graduate, pitched into the ninth inning for the first time this season. The freshman was locked in a pitchers' duel with Moorpark starter Jordon Berg, who also threw a complete game. Kelley struck out four, walked three, and allowed eight hits and two runs over 8 2/3 innings.

The Bulldogs scored the first run of the game in the third inning when Jeff Ray reached first on a Moorpark error with two outs. Travis Welker coaxed a walk to extend the inning. Reed Odland followed with a single to drive in Ray and give Hancock a 1-0 lead.

Hancock had an opportunity in the sixth went Ismael Hernandez drew a one-out walk. He was thrown out trying to steal moments before Zach Rudd ripped a double and was stranded at second base.

Moorpark scored the equalizer in the seventh when Michael Teobaldi laid down a squeeze bunt allowing Wyatt Walerinta to score from third to tie it at 1-1.

In the bottom of the ninth, James Terrazas drew a lead-off walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Nick Johnson, who moved to third on a single from Alex Vega. Jayce Foster advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, prompting the Bulldogs to intentionally walk the next hitter to load the bases and set up the possibility of a double play or force out at the plate. Kelley retired a pinch hitter on a pop-up to second for the second out. But Herron-Barrera delivered the walk-off single to end it.

Five Bulldogs, Ray, Odland, Hernandez, Rudd, and Chris Tani, each had one hit. Rudd and Tani each stole one base, but the Moorpark catcher threw out to other runners trying to steal.

Berg allowed five hits, an unearned run, walked three, and struck out three.

The Bulldogs open a five-game homestand to close the regular season at 1 PM on Saturday, April 13 against Moorpark.

Hancock will play Merced at 2:30 PM on Tuesday, April 16 in a non-conference game. Merced and Hancock are two of the eight teams playing in the Bulldogs' annual Spring Classic that runs Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18. Six of the eight were ranked in the latest regional rankings released last week: Fresno, No. 8 in North; Merced, No. 17 in North; Cypress, No. 4 in South; Cuesta, No. 9 in South; Canyons, No. 19 in South; Hancock, No. 20 in South.

Games will be played at Cuesta, Hancock, and Elks Field in Santa Maria. The Bulldogs face East L.A. on Wednesday at 2:30 PM to open the classic.