Ignited by the timely hitting of infielder/pitcher Thomas Luevano, Moorpark defeat Oxnard College, 4-3, at Raider Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Luevano blasted a crucial two run homer to left center in the fourth inning, narrowing the gap after the Condors took an early three run lead. Oxnard maintained its one run edge until the eighth when the momentum suddenly shifted in the Raiders favor.
“I hit the ball hard whenever I can, and got lucky three times today,” Luevano said. “I knew we were going to struggle, but we found a way to come back.”
Luevano singled again in the eighth and scored the go-ahead run from first with runners at the corners and two outs on Garrett Serino’s opportune two run double. The dust scattered when he dived home on a very close play at the plate.
“It was a big step for Thomas Luevano to do what he did today at the plate and on the mound,” head coach Mario Porto, said. “It’s the first time we’ve come back from behind to win a baseball game.”
Raiders’ starter, Freshman Conner Kinsner, who gave up three runs over three innings, pitched six impressive innings, but got a no decision. Middle reliever, Emery Johnson, pitched two plus innings of shutout baseball and picked up his first win.
Oxnard struck first with an unearned run resulting from an infield throwing error in the second inning. The Condors scored again in the third, with two back-to-back base hits by Tyson Quolas and Markus Hutchinson, putting runners on second and third with one out. An infield grounder brought the run home. With runners at the corners and one out in the fourth, a base hit by Luis Magana drove in the Condors third and final run.
“[Recovery] has been our weakest point, and we don’t want to set off a domino effect for the rest of the season,” Luevano said. “Everybody contributed with a great job today.”
The versatile Luevano picked up a save when he took to the mound with one out and two on in the ninth. A difficult double play ball deftly turned by shortstop Terrell Tate helped his cause, ending the threat and ending a three game losing streak.
“To turn that double play was huge,” Porto said. “That’s not an easy play by those middle guys. That was pretty good. Terrell has come a long way.”
The Raiders are now 9-8 overall, and 3-6 in the Western State Conference. Moorpark hosts Allan Hancock College at Raider Stadium on March 10.
