Santa Barbara catcher Colin Eaton blocks the plate and tags out a Ventura baserunner during the Dons’ league title-clinching win. (Photo by Jeanise Eaton)
Danny Zandona displayed one of his best performances on the mound this season, striking out a season-high 12 with no walks to help Santa Barbara beat Ventura 2-1 on Tuesday, ensuring a first-place finish in the Channel League for the second straight year.
The Dons (19-6, 10-1) have earned the top spot in eight of the last 10 years.
Zandona allowed only one run and four hits to move to 8-1 for the season.
“Today we needed him to pitch that way, because the bats weren’t there for us,” said assistant coach Mike Cooney.
Santa Barbara broke through in the fourth inning to score its two runs with four consecutive singles. With the bases loaded, Colin Eaton drove in Pepe Gil with the first run off the fourth single. Kenny Crawford hit a long fly to center to bring in Zandona for the second run.
Ventura was able to score one run in the bottom of the seventh, but was stopped short of a rally to steal the win.
The Dons finish their regular season with a rematch against Ventura on Friday at home.
Santa Barbara 2, Ventura 1
Santa Barbara…000 200 0 — 2 5 1
Ventura…000 000 1 — 1 4 0
Zandona and Eaton; Nothwang and Garrabrandt. W-Zandona (8-1) L-Nothwang
3B—V: Norman
One correction: Ventura High = Cougars, not Bulldogs (that would be Buena).