Bulldogs Take Down Pierce in Game Two

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Jacob Steels' ability to move quickly around the bases helped the Allan Hancock College baseball team lock down a 7-4 victory in game two of the three-game series versus LA Pierce College on Thursday afternoon at John Osborne Field. | BOX SCORE

The Bulldogs (16-14, 7-10 WSC) got on the board first and jumped out early with a four-run rally in the second frame. Parker Haskell drove in the first run with an RBI single, while Vander Hodges produced the same outcome during the next at-bat. Steels closed the scoring string with a two-out double down the leftfield line that plated two. Pierce (6-23, 3-14 WSC) cut the deficit with a pair of runs in the fifth and knotted the score after tacking on two more in the top of the seventh, but a double through the right side from Joey Freitas plated a quick-footed Steels from second and put the home squad back on top. The Bulldogs added to the cushion in the eighth after Vander Hodges and Jacob Ortega each recorded one RBI with shots to the outfield. 

Haskell led the team at the plate with a perfect 3-for-3 showing while adding one run and one RBI. Freitas and Hodges also finished the game with multiple hits after registering two knocks apiece. Steels, Caelan Dalman, and Jacob Ruley led the baserunning effort with one stolen base each. 

Vance Serrano collected his first win of the season on the mound after a brief appearance in the bottom of the seventh, while Luke Kovach secured his fourth save as the closer with five strikeouts and no hits through the final two frames. Lucas Earle and Nate Wenzel also appeared on the bump but did not factor into the final decision.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Friday, April 8th, with a neutral site game against LA Pierce to close the series. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 PM on the Moorpark College campus.