Bulldogs Handle Bakersfield in 13-8 Decision

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College baseball team took care of business at home on Thursday afternoon with a decisive 13-8 victory over Bakersfield College at John Osborne Field. | BOX SCORE

The Renegades (3-6) scratched across two early runs in the opening inning but the home squad responded with a seven-run explosion in the bottom of the same frame. Joey Freitas started the frenzy with a single that plated one, followed by a pair of RBI singles from Vander Hodges and Vance Serrano. Jacob Ortega added to the total by plating a pair of runners with a deep double to center, while Jacob Ruley earned an RBI after a bases-loaded walk and Freitas scored on a passed ball. Freitas also notched one run in the second with a single up the middle. The Bulldogs (6-3) rattled off five more runs in the bottom of the fourth after a pair of RBI singles from Jacob Steels and Kalub Ramirez sparked the streak. Evan Steinberger made his way home by capitalizing on a wild pitch before Ruley and Ramirez both scored by taking advantage of missed tags at the plate. Bakersfield managed to cut the deficit with six unanswered runs through the final five innings of play to close out the contest. 

Steels, Steinberger, Freitas, and Ortega each produced multiple tallies en route to the team's 13-hit performance. Steinberger also recorded a pair of stolen bases while Freitas, Ramirez, and Trenton Pallas took one apiece. Nate Wenzel got his second win of the season with a five-inning showing after scattering seven hits and striking out four batters. Lucas Earle and Anthony Lopez combined for six strikeouts through the final four innings, but did not factor into the final decision. 

The Bulldogs will return to action with a road trip to Bakersfield College on Saturday, February 19th. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 PM.