Brendon Shoemake tossed four-hit ball for seven innings on Tuesday and the bottom of SBCC’s order came through in a big way to help the Vaqueros down West L.A. 10-2 in their baseball home opener at Pershing Park.
Shoemake gave up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Leading 8-2, he walked the leadoff batter in the eighth and was replaced by left-hander Ryan Massengale. Massengale didn’t allow a hit and struck out four in the last two innings.
“I was a little under the weather today,“ said Shoemake, a 6-4 right-handed sophomore from La Canada. “And I’m still recovering from a sprained ankle. But as soon as I got on the mound, my momentum started kicking in.
“Our defense was good and the offense stacked on the runs.”
Center fielder Andy Smith, the No. 9 hitter, went 2-2 with two RBIs and two runs for the Vaqueros (2-4). Catcher Ryan Crowe, who bats No. 8, was 1-2 with three runs scored and an RBI.
The Vaqueros rapped out 10 hits with eight of nine starters getting at least one. SBCC benefited from five walks and seven wild pitches by West L.A. (1-3).
“Brendon was our main guy last year and it’s not surprising to see him pitch well at home,” said coach Jeff Walker. “He hasn’t pitched in three weeks. He wasn’t sharp but he competed. His stuff was better than their stuff.
“I hope he’s not satisfied with his performance. He can pitch much, much, much better than he did today and our whole team can play better. A win is a win and it’s good to get off to a good start at home.”
Santa Barbara took a 5-0 lead after scoring four runs in the second. Crowe drew a bases-loaded walk, Anthony Simon and Tyler Sharpe scored on wild pitches and Crowe came home on a sacrifice fly by Smith.
SBCC travels to West L.A. on Thursday for a 2 p.m. game.
SBCC 10, WEST L.A. 2
West L.A. ….. 000 200 000 — 2 4 1
SBCC ………. 140 102 02x — 10 10 3
Mason, Davis (2), McEntee (7) and Vargas; Shoemake, Massengale (8) and Crowe. W–Shoemake 1-0. L–Mason 0-1.
2B–WLA: Haney. 3B–WLA: Barbini.
Records–WLA 1-3, SBCC 2-4.
