Three-run first leads SBCC past Moorpark, 5-2

For the first time in 11 days, Santa Barbara City College's softball team was back after a series of rainouts had their season on hold.

The Vaqueros celebrated their return to the diamond with a 5-2 win over Moorpark.

"It was good to see the field again today," said head coach Justine Bosio. "With the rain we have been getting it has been close to two weeks since we have stepped on the field.  To be able to play again and come away with a win felt good."

The Vaqueros (10-9, 2-3 WSC North) came out and attacked early by batting around the lineup in the first inning.  The game started with leadoff walk by Madison Foster, followed by back-to-back bunts from Emily Bland and Chloe Wells to load the bases. Janet Salas drew a bases loaded walk to score Foster for the first run of the game. Sloane Greeley drove in a run with a groundout and Kayla Sanchez singled home a run giving the Vaqueros a 3-0 lead before the Raiders retired the side.

Calista Wendell started in the circle for the Vaqueros, keeping Moorpark (12-7, 1-2 WSC North) scoreless until the bottom of fifth inning.  With the score still 3-0, Janessa Lopez started the inning with a walk.  She advanced to second on a sacrifice and a wild pitch moved her to third with two outs and scored on an RBI single by Sierra Huerta, who was 4-4 on the day.

The Vaqueros came back in the top of the sixth inning with a single by Foster. Bland reached on an error, putting runners on first and third for Wells. Foster scored from third on a throwing error by the catcher, with Bland advancing to second. Wells bunted Bland to third, who then scored on another throwing error by the catcher, making the score 5-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Moorpark answered back in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back singles to start the inning. Lopez drew a walk to load the bases and Beccari hit an RBI sac fly to Wells in right field to score the final run of the game.

Moorpark brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but Wendell induced two groundouts to end the game.  Wendell (6-5) hurled a complete game while allowing nine hits and two earned runs to pick up the win.  Foster led the way offensively for SBCC, going 2-3 with two runs, a walk and a double.  

The Vaqueros are scheduled to play at Ventura on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., weather permitting.