If there’s a level above red-hot hitting, that’s where Abe Ruiz is hanging out these days.
The sophomore third baseman went 4-for-6 with two homers, a double and four RBIs on Tuesday, leading SBCC to a 13-3 baseball rout at Hancock. The Vaqueros (12-8, 5-2) pounded five homers and won for the fifth straight time to move into sole possession of second place in the WSC North.
SBCC, which has outscored its opponents 61-18 during the win streak, hit double digits in runs for the fourth time in five games and ninth overall.
Sam Johnston, the starting shortstop, didn’t make the trip due to illness. Danny Cavaletto was hit in the head by a pitch in the first and replaced by Taylor Lyons, who went 3-for-5. Zach Pecyna was also 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
Left-hander Zach Edgington went seven-plus innings, allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. He got outstanding support from the defense, which didn’t commit an error for the first time this year.
“He was outstanding,” said Warrecker of Edgington. “He had his best fastball of the year.”
The Vaqueros will host Hancock on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
SBCC 13, HANCOCK 3
Hancock ……. 000 000 030 — 3 8 2
Edgington, Alvarez (8) and Keller; Creath, Turbes (4), Halop (6) and Young. W–Edgington 3-2. L–Creath 5-1.
2B–SB: Ruiz, Pecyna. H: Jones. HR–SB: Howell (5), 2nd inn., none on; Yost (2), 3rd inn., none on; Ruiz (8), 5th inn., none on; Ruiz (9), 7th inn., one on; White (5), 7th inn., none on.
Records–SBCC 12-8, 5-2. AHC 11-8, 4-3
