Eight-Run First Lifts Vaqueros in Home Opener

By Jimmy Friery

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara City College Baseball team (2-0) followed up their blowout win at West LA on Friday with a 14-2 win today in the rematch at Pershing Park.

Yesterday's 18-1 scoreline was a bit misleading—the Vaqueros scored 15 runs in the last two innings, so the majority of the game was close. Today's home opener was the opposite, as Santa Barbara used an eight-run first inning to coast the rest of the way.

After a 1-2-3 top of the first thanks to an inning-ending double play, the Vaqueros brought 12 batters to the plate to take an 8-0 lead. William Matuszak and Wylan Nelson both scored twice in the inning.

A bullpen game for Santa Barbara, Jaxson Hoye came on in relief in the second inning and earned the easiest win of his life. He pitched three innings and exited with an 11-2 lead.

The Vaqueros tacked on three more in the eighth on the way to the 14-2 final. The three-time reigning WSC-North champions showed that they are still a juggernaut with talent up and down the roster.

The two-hitter Nelson led all Vaqueros with four hits in five at bats, including a double. Second baseman Damos Deworken scored three runs and went 3-for-4, while Cole Ide, Parker Hellekson, and Lucas Carlisle all had two hits.

Given the substitutions later in the game, 10 different Vaqueros logged at least one hit. Eight different Vaqueros drove in at least one run, and nine scored at least one run.

Santa Barbara continues their homestand next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday hosting Ohlone at Pershing Park.