Santa Barbara’s rally in the bottom of the seventh inning came up short on Tuesday in the Dons’ Channel League opener with Buena, as the Bulldogs held on for a 6-5 decision.
The Dons scored twice in the seventh to pull within one run but could not plate the tying run.
Brett Ramirez served up the biggest blow for Buena, a grand slam home run in the top of the fourth inning that moved the Bulldogs into the lead at 4-1. Ryan Coker was 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Buena added two more in the top of the fifth to provide enough of a cushion to hold off Santa Barbara.
