SBCC starting pitcher Rich McCaffrey pitched five innings without allowing an earned run. (Jeanise Eaton Photo)
Canyons took the lead with three runs in the seventh on Saturday and went on to defeat SBCC 6-5 in a nonconference baseball game at Pershing Park.
The Vaqueros (4-5) were hurt by three errors and 12 strikeouts. Kevin Lenik’s sacrifice fly won the game for the Cougars (5-2).
Rich McCaffrey pitched the first five innings for SBCC, allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits with three strikeouts. Danny Nieves (0-2) suffered the loss after giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits over three innings.
Zach Zehner had two doubles and two RBIs for Santa Barbara. Joey Epperson had two hits and Joey Gonzalez drove in two runs. The Vaqueros took a 5-3 lead with three runs in the sixth on a two-run double by Zehner and a sacrifice fly from Gonzalez.
“We played well, we just made too many mistakes,” said coach Jeff Walker. “Too many errors, too many walks. They executed and we didn’t. We have to do a better job of bouncing back when they take the lead.”
SBCC will host L.A. Pierce on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
CANYONS 6, SBCC 5
Canyons ……. 100 002 300 — 6 10 1
SBCC ………… 000 113 000 — 5 9 3
Jones, Salas (6) and Sandler; McCaffrey, Nieves (6), Turner (9) and Eaton. W–Salas 2-0. L–Nieves 0-2.
2B–C: Bonds. SB: Zehner 2, Epperson. 3B–SB: Reveles.
