The Western State Conference-North is an incredibly aggressive baseball conference this year. That was extremely evident in Moorpark’s loss to Allan Hancock College 13-6.
“Our conference is going to be like that the whole year, everyone’s going to beat up on everyone,” said Moorpark’s head coach Mario Porto. “When your pitcher makes a mistake, they’ll let you know that it was a mistake.”
This was the second game in a row that Moorpark faced off against Allan Hancock and they split the double header at a game a peace. In the first game on Wednesday, Moorpark won 13-9; however, Allan Hancock got the best of them this time around.
Moorpark sent freshmen starter Brian Kernochan to the mound, but he had a bumpy start to the game. Kernochan came into the game with a record of 1-2 but fell to a record of 1-3 after picking up the loss. Allan Hancock sent to the mound Joey Green who was able to get the win and move his record up to 3-1.
The Raiders had an outstanding performance from left fielder Ryan Donahue who went 3 for 4 including two singles, a double and one RBI. Josh Gray also had two doubles a single and two RBIs.
Donahue also made two great defensive plays. He threw out a runner from left field with a strike straight to catcher Mario Landeros who decoyed as if there wasn’t a close play at the plate; then grabbed the ball and tagged the runner all in one motion.
Moorpark remained in the game until the top of the eighth inning, when they used three pitchers in an ugly five run inning for Allan Hancock. Up until that inning, the game was close enough to be interesting.
“We were right in it and with the type of guys we have, I expected us to win it,” Porto said. “But you know a mistake here and your pitcher goes and throws a mistake, there is no defense against the walk.”
Moorpark’s starting pitcher Kernochan offered up four walks of his own, however, he did pitch three strikeouts. In relief of Kernochan, Greg Waxler came in and pitched two walks, but threw one strike out.
Porto feels hopeful looking forward.
“You have those days, they’re a good group and I enjoy being around them,” Porto said. “We’ll just come back out Monday and work and play on Tuesday.”
Moorpark’s next game is Tuesday at 2 p.m., against Santa Barbara City College.
