Noeh Martinez drilled a two-run double in a six-run third inning on Tuesday at Ventura and SBCC went on to defeat the Pirates 8-3 in the WSC North baseball opener for both schools.
Jimmy Brakka went 2-4, including a two-run double in the seventh that extended the lead to 8-2. Brandon Evans was 3-5 with an RBI.
The Vaqueros, ranked No. 2 in Southern Cal, improved to 12-3 and 1-0 while the Pirates fell to 4-9 and 0-1.
Noah Villegas (3-0) went the first six inning for Santa Barbara, allowing two runs on six hits. Cody Van Aken pitched the seventh and eighth and Kit Larson turned in a scoreless ninth.’
Ventura used 10 pitchers and they issued 10 walks. The Vaqueros scored their first two runs on bases-loaded walks.
“It’s nice to start 1-0 in conference,” said coach Jeff Walker. “Our conference is always tough, so any win is a good win.”
SBCC will host Ventura on Thursday at 2 p.m.
SBCC ….….. 006 000 200 – 8 10 1
Ventura …… 000 002 010 – 3 9 0
Villegas, Van Aken (7), Larson (9) and O’Brien; Domke, Van Es (3), Conlon (4), Lindley (4), West (5), Thomas (6), Follett (7), Coakley (7), Weber (8), Martinez (9) and Magana. W–Villegas 3-0. L–Domke 1-2.
2B—SB: Martinez, Brakka. V: Magana.
