Moorpark College celebrated the opening of the baseball season in style by thumping Antelope Valley 10-3 in a nonconference game at Marauder Stadium in Lancaster on Wednesday, Jan. 27, afternoon.

The Raiders scored early and often with three runs in the first inning, two in the second and two in the third before the Marauders responded with a run in the bottom of the third.

The home team chipped away with a run apiece in the sixth and seventh, but Moorpark put the icing on the cake to complete the rout with three runs in the eight.

“We hit the ball well and played solid defense to help us get that win,” said Head Coach Mario Porto. “Our starting pitcher threw well for six innings. Then we brought in [relievers] to give them some work. In the first game, you want to [play] as many guys as you can to see what we have.”

According to game reports from the California Community College Athletic Association, starter and winner Jake Eaton gave up eight hits and two runs in six complete innings pitched for the Raiders. John Cashman pitched the seventh and gave up three hits and a run. Trevor Weston pitched a scoreless eight and closer Bryan Marberry finished the game with a shutout in the ninth.

“Jake Eaton on the mound did a really good job, and then our relievers came in and picked him up,” said outfielder/pitcher, Zak Daniels. “It’s always good when you can jump ahead early.”

Sophomores Terrell Tate and Daniels had four hits apiece. Shortstop Tate had two triples, three RBIs and scored a run. Right fielder Daniels hit two singles, a double, a triple, and drove in two runs.

“The pitchers threw strikes and we played good defense behind them,” Tate said. “That [allowed] us to hit a little more and get the momentum on offence. It was a good game.”

Freshman outfielder Austin Fields also contributed four hits, including a triple, and scored a run. Sophomore second baseman Garrett Kueber had two hits; a double, two RBIs and scored three runs.

“I’m scheduled to start on Saturday against Chaffey,” Daniels said. “What we did [in this game] is what we should expect for the rest of the season.”

Moorpark is on the road for the second game of 2016 baseball season against Chaffey College at Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Logon to the CCCAA website for complete game statistics.