SBCC jumped out to a 6-0 lead on Saturday and Jimmy Brakka hit his first home run of the year in an 8-4 baseball victory at Ventura.
Trey Barrett was 2-3 while Brakka, who belted a solo shot in the ninth, and Brandon Evans were both 2-4. Matt Gimenez had a single, an RBI, a stolen base and collected four of his team’s nine walks.
Noah Villegas (4-2) went the first six innings to earn the victory, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
The No. 6-ranked Vaqueros improved to 18-8 overall and took sole possession of second in the WSC North race at 7-5. They trail No. 1 Oxnard (10-2) by three games with eight to play.
SBCC scored four runs on five hits off Ventura starter Logen Lotofsky, who walked three and hit three batters in 3 2/3 innings. The Pirates (9-15, 5-7) threw six pitchers in relief.
“We got on ‘em early and Villegas gave us a chance to win,” said coach Jeff Walker. “It was a nice bounceback game (after a 5-1 loss to Ventura on Thursday). “
The Vaqueros took the four-game WSC series from Ventura, 3-1.
Santa Barbara plays host to Hancock on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
