Bulldogs Unable to Hold Off Late Surge by Ventura

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College baseball team was unable to hold off Ventura College after surrendering five runs in the ninth inning, leading to an 8-5 loss in the series opener on Tuesday afternoon at John Osborne Field. | BOX SCORE

The Pirates (10-13, 5-5 WSC) struck first after putting up a pair of runs in the fourth and added one tally in the fifth to extend the lead. The home squad dug out of the deficit in the sixth inning after a two-run RBI from Jacob Ortega brought the team within one. Vander Hodges knotted the score with a double through the right side before Jacob Steels put the Bulldogs ahead with an RBI single that plated one. Brayan Nunez rounded out the comeback effort after a single to right sent one runner home, which led to a two-run cushion for AHC (13-11, 5-8 WSC) as the inning came to a close.

Both teams were scoreless through the next two frames, but Ventura pulled off a late five-run rally to regain the lead in the top of the ninth. Hancock managed to put a man on base after Kalub Ramirez was walked to open the frame, but the Bulldogs were unable to close the scoring gap after a double play and a strikeout ended the game. 

Steels led the offensive effort as the lone member to register more than one hit after a 2-for-4 showing at the plate, which included one RBI and one run. Ortega posted a pair of RBIs after a deep double and ended the day with a 1-for-4 mark in the box. 

Anthony Lopez (2-2) entered as the closer for the final inning and was charged with the loss after allowing five earned runs on five hits. Matthew Gonzales earned the start but did not factor into the final decision. He struck out two batters and surrendered two earned runs after scattering four hits through five innings of work. Lucas Earle, who also did not factor into the final decision, walked one batter and surrendered three hits after spending three innings on the bump.

The Bulldogs will continue league against with a road trip to Ventura College on Thursday, March 24th, for game two of the three-game series.