No. 5 Bulldogs Stretch Win Streak to 13 with Sweep at Bakersfield

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College baseball team stretched its win streak to 13 with a sweep on the road at Bakersfield on Wednesday afternoon. The victories move Hancock to 15-3 on the season (10-0 WSC) while Bakersfield falls to 13-6 overall (10-4 WSC).

The red-hot squad is currently ranked No. 5 in the latest CCCSIA Top 15 Poll, announced by the CCCAA on Friday, after collecting 122 points in the poll. The starting pitching trio of Trevor Garcia (5-0, 2.93 ERA, 32 Ks in 30.2 innings), Matthew Gonzales (3-0, 1.16 ERA, 30 Ks in 31 innings), and Vander Hodges (3-0, 2.89 ERA) are a combined 11-0 in 13 starts thus far. 

GAME ONE: HANCOCK 9, BAKERSFIELD 3

The Bulldogs struck first with a big four-run inning to open the contest. Joey Freitas and Trenton Pallas opened the inning with a pair of RBIs while AHC tacked on another two after capitalizing on Renegade errors. Pallas came through again in the top of the fourth frame with a deep shot that scored a trio of runners, followed by an RBI single in the sixth to plate another. Bakersfield responded with a two-run showing in the bottom of the sixth, while both sides tallied one in the final frame. 

Trevor Garcia collected the win on the bump after tossing a complete game. He scattered seven hits, punched out six batters, and surrendered three earned runs through seven innings of work. 

GAME TWO: HANCOCK 5, BAKERSFIELD 4

Hancock got on the board first in the nightcap after a double by RJ Clayton plated one runner in the second inning. Trevor Garcia doubled the lead with an RBI single in the fifth frame, but the Renegades evened the odds with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. An RBI single from Jacob Ruley put the Bulldogs back on top in the sixth, but Bakersfield knotted the score again with a run in the seventh. A single from Travis Welker plated a pair of baserunners in the eighth frame and gave the Bulldogs breathing room as Bakersfield squeaked out one final run in the bottom of the inning. 

Isaac Baez earned the win on the mound while Joey Freitas collected the save. 

UP NEXT:

Hancock will return to action on Saturday, May 22nd, with a home doubleheader versus Bakersfield. The first game is set to begin at 12 PM, followed by the nightcap at approximately 3 PM, on John Osborne Field.