Santa Barbara fell behind early and was never able to catch up, dropping a crucial Channel League game at Buena on Friday, 10-5.
Sophomore lefty Collin Dewell struggled with his control during his brief outing, and was pulled without recording an out in the second inning. The Bulldogs capitalized on their free passes, scoring runs in every inning but the first.
Dons second baseman Jack Crummer slugged a three-run homer in the seventh to make the score respectable, but it was too little too late for Santa Barbara, which now falls to 3-5 in league play, 2 1/2 games behind first-place Dos Pueblos.
The defending Channel League champions will have an opportunity to make up ground, however, when they face the Chargers twice next week in must-win games.
“We’ve got as good a chance as anyone when our pitching is on,” said assistant coach Mike Cooney. “It’s going to be a question of whether these sophomores can bear down and play tough for four games.”
Joey Gonzalez continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-4 with two doubles.
BUENA 10, SANTA BARBARA 5
Santa Barbara….001 100 3 — 5 8 1
Buena..031 312 X 10 10 1
Dewell, Crawford (2), Feuer (5) and Fraker; Zeman, Albertson (4), Bustillos (6) and Boys. WP — Albertson 2-1, LP — Dewell 1-6.
2B — SB: Gonzales (2), B: Gonzalez. HR — Crummer (7th inn. 2 on).
SB: 9-11, 3-5 league. B 11-11 5-5
