Bulldogs' Comeback Falls Short in Season Opener

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College baseball program made a valiant comeback effort in the season opener against Mt. San Jacinto, but the Eagles capitalized on power hitting en route to a 15-11 victory.

Joey Freitas had a productive showing at the plate, going 2-for-4 while record two RBIs and one run. Jacob Steels and Jeff Ray also posted solid numbers at the plate, combining for five RBIs and two runs.  

Mt. San Jacinto wasted no time getting ahead with an 11-run showing in the top of the second frame and a single-run homer in the top of the third. Jacob Ortega got Hancock on the board and notched his first homerun of the season with a shot over the right-center fence in the bottom of the third. The Eagles notched an additional run in the top of the fifth.

RJ Clayton got the bats rolling to open play in the fifth frame with a triple in his first at-bat of the inning. The Bulldogs got two tickets on the board with a pair of walks while the bases were loaded before a single from Freitas plated two runners. Ray continued the rally with a double that scored two and then touched home plate just one batter later after a single from Trevor Garcia. Garcia scored later in the inning on a passed ball. Steels rounded out the productive inning with a single that brought in a pair of runners. Both teams remained scoreless through the next three innings as the Bulldogs entered the ninth trailing by four after surrendering two runs in the top of the frame, but were unable to jump-start another rally to even the score. 

Both teams relied heavily on the bullpen as the Eagles used three pitchers and Hancock used six. Anthony Lopez struck out three but suffered the loss on the mound after 1.1 innings tossed. Vander Hodges was the most efficient on the rubber for the Bulldogs after recording seven strikeouts and 67 strikes through 4.1 innings of work. 

The Bulldogs are set to return to action on Tuesday, April 13th, with a trip to Cuesta. First pitch is set for 3 PM.