Pinch Hitters Lift Vaqs Over Ventura

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Joshua Siegel and Nicolas Aguirre provided key pinch-hit RBIs in the eighth inning as Santa Barbara City College defeated Ventura College 8-5 on Tuesday at Pershing Park.

Siegel drew a bases-loaded walk before Aguirre laced a two-RBI single to left field to score the three runs that proved to be the difference in the victory.

Benjamin Strutt stole two more bases, pushing his team-leading total to 23.

Joseph Talarico won his fifth consecutive start, going five and two-thirds innings and striking out seven while allowing two earned runs. The Vaqueros pitcher has not posted a losing decision since Feb. 18 in a quality start against Moorpark.

Talarico is now tied for the Western State Conference lead in wins with six and is fifth in ERA at 1.78.

Will Matuszak nearly homered in his third straight game as his first swing was just short of the left-field fence.

Aidan Camberg, Ben Fabbian and Sean Asperger collected RBIs in the win. Camberg leads the team with 23 RBIs on the season. 

Santa Barbara visits Ventura on Thursday before returning home to Pershing Park for Saturday's 1 p.m. series finale.