Conner McManigal belted two home runs and Jeff Paschke allowed just two hits in throwing his first complete game of the season, leading Santa Barbara High to a 6-1 Channel League win at Buena.
The win keeps the Dons (6-2) one game behind league-leading Dos Pueblos with four games to play.
McManigal hit the first pitch of the game over the right-field fence to get the Dons rolling. His second homer was a two-run shot over the center-field fence in the sixth inning. Skyler Sabado was on base after hitting a single.
Paschke provided a big boost for the Dons with his pitching performance.
“Jeff’s velocity was as high in the 7th as at the start of the game,” assistant coach Mike Cooney said. “We needed that kind of effort from him and Conner to sweep the series from Buena and stay in the race for the Channel League championship.”
The Dons play at San Marcos on Tuesday and then host the Royals next Friday.
Santa Barbara…111 003 0 — 6 9 2
Buena…100 000 0 — 1 2 3
Paschke and Sabado; Rubick, Merrill (6), Chittenden (6), Soto (7) and Coker. W—Paschke (2-3). L—Rubick (3-2)
2B: Paschke. HR: McManigal—1st inning, none on; 6th inning, one on
