SBCC started slow but finished with a flurry on Thursday afternoon in a 12-4 WSC softball victory over L.A. Pierce. The game was called in the sixth inning by the eight-run rule when Lauren Takayesu drove in Paty Martinez with a two-out single.
The Vaqueros (10-7, 2-3) fell behind 4-1 after three frames against the winless Brahmas (0-17, 0-7), then erupted for 10 runs in the fourth to take an 11-4 lead. They sent 14 batters to the plate and pounded out eight hits, starting with singles by Jeana Carrillo and Joan Cannon.
SBCC scored 10 runs in the fourth inning on its way to a 12-4 victory at Pershing Park.
Lisa Zeitlin, who went 3-4, tied it at 4 by driving in two with a bases-loaded single and pinch-hitters Amanda Sharp and Janelle Wong followed with RBI hits to boost the lead to 6-4. Carrillo had two singles and scored twice in the 10-run uprising.
SBCC pitcher Jeana Carrillo came on in relief to claim the victory.
Carrillo (5-2), who made her first start at first base, took over the piching duties with the bases loaded and no outs in the third. She walked in a run to give Pierce a 4-1 lead, then retired nine straight batters. She pitched four innings, allowing just one hit with six strikeouts.
“We were a little scared (after falling behind 4-1),” said Carrillo, a freshman from Lompoc High. “We knew we could come back with the bats. I was a little nervous coming in with the bases loaded but I just threw as hard as I could.
“I knew my defense would hold them back. I felt strong today.”
Kailey Snyder went 2-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
The Vaqueros were playing their second game in less than 22 hours. They dropped a 2-0 decision at defending state champion Mt. San Antonio on Wednesday night.
“I wasn’t concerned that we would lose the game but it’s frustrating when you come off a good effort against the state champions and you come in and let Pierce score four runs,” said coach Paula Congleton. “We made a few changes in the fourth with pinch hitters and we started putting the bat on the ball.
“It was nice to score 12 runs and see a few kids with multiple hits.”
The Brahmas hadn’t scored more than two runs in their first 16 games. The 12 runs were the second-highest total of the year for the Vaqueros.
SBCC will take on Riverside at 5 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the Bakersfield Classic.
SBCC 12, L.A. PIERCE 4
(6 innings, run rule)
L.A. Pierce ….. 103 020 — 4 3 2
SBCC ………….. 010 (10)01 — 12 13 2
Izzaguire and Hayes; Gazzaniga, Carrillo (3) and Holloway. W–Carrillo 5-2. L–Izzaguire. Records–LAP 0-17, 0-7. SBCC 10-7, 2-3.
