Baseball Takes Two Games in Ventura Series

VENTURA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College baseball team secured two victories in a three-game showing against Ventura College last week in the final series setup of the regular season for Western State Conference (North) foes. 

The Bulldogs now move to 17-17 overall with an 8-10 record in league play. Meanwhile, Ventura falls to 15-8 with a 10-8 record against conference competitors.

Hancock will close out the regular season with six single-game showings against each member of the WSC North, beginning with LA Pierce College at home on April 17th at 3 PM.

GAME ONE: AHC 11, VC 7 | BOX SCORE

The Bulldogs opened the series with an explosive 8-run second inning that propelled them to an 11-7 victory on the road. AHC totaled 12 hits, including a pair of triples from Owen Bolich and Matt Kovach. Andrew Sandoval paced the offense with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs, while Josue Garcia reached base three times and drove in a run. Shane Heriford and Richie Robles added to the effort with three RBIs and two RBIs, respectively.

Starting pitcher Nathan Coffey threw 4.0 innings with five strikeouts and allowed just four earned runs despite some defensive miscues behind him (three errors). Liam Taft secured the win in relief after a full five-inning showing. He struck out four while being charged with two earned runs on three hits. 

Hancock's defense turned two double plays to help limit the comeback attempts by the hosting Pirates down the stretch.

GAME TWO: AHC 9, VC 4 | BOX SCORE

Back at home, the Bulldogs' offense remained hot, scoring in four separate innings and capitalizing on Ventura's pitching struggles. Hancock tallied 12 hits and drew four walks, with standout contributions from multiple players, including Braden Oliver and J. Garcia. The Bulldogs also benefited from four hit batters and a home run that helped extend their lead.

Kovach headlined the day with a stellar performance in the box that included one single, one double, and one shot over the fence at right-center. Colin Johnston and Robles also notched one double apiece. 

Jaiden Turner picked up the win after five full innings, holding Ventura scoreless over the first four innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Austin Moccardini entered as the closer for the final four frames en route to his second save of the season. The Pirates managed 11 hits off of the duo, but grounded into three double plays and left 11 runners stranded.

GAME THREE: VC 8, AHC 2 | BOX SCORE

Ventura salvaged the final game of the series, taking advantage of five Hancock errors and a pair of two-run innings to earn an 8-2 victory. The Bulldogs jumped ahead by scoring twice in the third frame behind a two-RBI single from A. Sandoval, but that would be their only offense of the day.

Despite five hits from the AHC lineup, the team couldn't mount a comeback as defensive mistakes and the Pirates' 12-hit output proved to be too much. Starting pitcher Ryan Cronk struck out five while scattering as many hits and allowing three earned runs over five innings.