SBCC used a six-run sixth inning and solid relief pitching to defeat Porterville 8-4 on a windy Wednesday in the Channel Coast Baseball Tournament at Pershing Park.
The Vaqueros (19-16) trailed 3-1 after four innings before loading the bases in the fifth. Tony Cooper tallied the second run on a passed ball with two outs. SBCC sent 10 batters to the plate in the sixth and erupted for six runs to take an 8-3 lead.
Jacob Trimble started the rallly with a single and Steven Keller drove in pinch-runner Zack Chavez with an RBI single. Corey Krupp’s sacrifice fly scored Keller with the go-ahead run (4-3). Aaron Bauman and Barrett Ceverha capped the rally with back-to-back two-run singles.
Chad Caraccioli and Zack Edgington turned in six solid innings of relief. Edgington, a freshman left-hander, tossed the last three frames, allowing just one run on three hits with five strikeouts. He gave up a run in the ninth but also struck out the side, stranding runners at first and second.
“We got some really productive at-bats,” said SBCC coach Teddy Warrecker. “Danny Cavaletto had that great 10-pitch at-bat (in the sixth) that started with him trying to bunt and ended with a single.”
It was the third straight win and seventh in nine games for the resurgent Vaqueros.
Krupp stole home with two outs in the first inning.
“That was an incredible play,” said Warrecker. “He asked what his time was (the pitcher’s delivery time) and I said it’s doable. He got an incredible jump and it wasn’t even close. He’s really provided some sophomore leadership.
“I thought we were a little bit flat. I brought the group together in the second inning and made sure they understood how important every win is for us. If we can get our win total over 20 and make a run in the last three weeks of the season, we’re very much alive for the playoffs.”
SBCC is off until Thursday, April 16 when it travels to Hancock for a 2:30 p.m. game.
Porterville ……….. 002 100 001 — 4 6 2
SBCC ……………… 100 016 00x — 8 10 2
Borromeo, Medina (2), Herbert (6), Durand (6) and Smith; Pellici, Caraccioli (4), Edgington (6) and Keller, Gregory (9). W–Edgington (3-0). L–Herbert.
2B–P: Palacios. HR–P: Palacios, 3rd inn., none on.
Records–P 7-22. SB 19-16.
