SBCC used a seven-run third inning to erase a 6-2 deficit on Thursday and went on to beat Moorpark 10-7 in a WSC North baseball game at Pershing Park.
The Vaqueros (8-8, 2-0) sent 11 men to the plate in the third, scoring seven runs on just two hits. Three Moorpark pitchers issued four walks and hit three batters in the inning.
Zach Zehner had a two-run triple in the third and Joey Epperson capped the uprising with a two-run double. All the runs came with two outs.
Sophomore left-hander Rich McCaffrey (3-1) gave up five runs in the third on three singles and three walks. He got the victory on an off day, allowing six runs (four earned) on four hits in 5 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts, six walks and a hit batter.
“We had that one sideways inning, which we try to avoid,” said Epperson, who drove in three runs. “When we’ve fallen behind this year, we’ve done a good job of coming back. Guys kept getting on base and we scored a lot of runs.”
Raider reliever Daniel Hawes entered with a 6-5 lead and the bases loaded in the third. He walked Eli Michaels, the only batter he faced, to force in Tyler Sharpe. Michael Coates relieved Hawes and hit Joey Gonzalez with the first pitch, putting the Vaqueros ahead 7-6.
Lucas Benenati tossed one-run ball over the final 3 1/3 frames and struck out four to earn his third save.
Five Moorpark pitchers gave the Vaqueros 14 free passes on eight walks and six hit batters. Leadoff hitter Eli Michaels (3 walks) and Epperson both reached base four times.
“We’re a tough team to throw to,” Epperson noted. “We don’t get out of the way, we take doses and we get walks. That’s frustrating for other teams. The bats will come and go but if you can stay consistent getting on base, it’s a good way to score a lot of runs.”
Steven Reveles was 2-5 with two RBIs.
The Vaqueros committed two errors in the top of the first, then took a 2-1 lead in the bottom half on a two-run double to left-center by Reveles. He leads the team with 17 RBIs.
“We did a good job of coming back,“ said coach Jeff Walker. “We were patient at the plate and their guy struggled. McCaffrey didn’t have his ‘A stuff’ but he did a good job of getting into the sixth inning. Then Lucas came in and threw strikes.”
The Vaqueros will play their eighth home game in the last 10 on Saturday when they host Ventura at 1 p.m.
SBCC 10, MOORPARK 7
Moorpark …… 105 000 001 — 7 7 1
SBCC ……….. 207 010 00x — 10 8 4
Mercer, Hawes (3), Coates (3), Eaves (6), Domke (8) and Bishop; McCaffrey, Benenati (6) and Eaton. W–McCaffrey 3-1. L–Coates 0-5. Save–Benenati 3.
2B–SB: Reveles, Epperson, Eaton, Cavalier. 3B–SB: Zehner.
