The Oxnard College men’s baseball team shutdown the visiting Santa Barbara City College at home Thursday afternoon.

This was the first game in Western State Conference-North play for both teams. Oxnard came into the game with an overall record of 5-7. With the win they moved to 1-0 in WSC-North. They sit on top of the conference after the first game of the season along with Moorpark, who won their game over Allan Hancock 13-9. However, Ventura lost their conference opener to Cuesta 11-7.

Both teams were matching each other stride for stride until Oxnard came up to bat in the bottom of the fifth inning. It was then that Oxnard was able to break the scoreless tie with a spirited two-out rally. Both pitchers were dominating until Oxnard was able to figure out how to break through.

Once the Condors were able to take the lead they were safe in the hands of their dominating starting pitcher Joey Juarez.

Juarez threw a complete game, only allowing four hits and one run. Santa Barbara could find no answers against the shut-out pitching of Juarez. He said he felt good on the mound all game long.

“It’s all about being confident,” said Juarez. “Everything worked for me today.”

Oxnard Head Coach John Larson was also happy to see his team take advantage of their few opportunities in this game, and the pitching performance from his starting pitcher.

“We had dominating pitching,” said Larson. “We got big two out hits today. We haven’t been getting those two out hits lately.”

Aside from the great pitching, the offense was also working for Oxnard as they posted eight hits. Zach McDonnell had two hits including one double and an RBI. Danny Gallinot had two hits which were both doubles.

This game was the first of a back-to-back for these two teams. Oxnard College will travel to Santa Barbara this Saturday.