In the first Western State Conference game of the year, Moorpark College defeated Santa Barbara City College’s Vaqurros 6-4 at Raiders Stadium Saturday, Feb. 20.
Two homeruns in the second inning got the Raiders off to a flying 4-0 start and after the Vaqueros tied it in the fifth, freshman reliever John Cashman, from Chatsworth High, shutout the visitors the rest of the way in a dominating pitching performance.
“We were zero and four against them last year and it’s great to open up with a win in the first game in conference,” said Cashman. “I had good command of the ball and those two runs in the bottom of the sixth gave me the energy I needed to put up some zeros.”
Second baseman Garrett Kueber got the ball rolling with a double for the Raiders in the first and scored from third on an out to left with the bases loaded.
“We came out on top and it has a lot to do with Cash,” Head Coach Mario Porto said about Cashman. “Those last two innings were just phenomenal. He threw every pitch for strikes. He’s gotten a lot of confidence in the last few weeks.”
With one on in the second, sophomore centerfielder Jessie Aucelluzzo, batting number nine in the lineup, became an unlikely hero when he smashed a line drive homer just over the fence in left. One out later, shortstop Terrell Tate drove a solo shot to the same spot for a 4-0 lead.
“It was my first college homerun, and it was pretty cool,” Aucelluzzo said. “I got all of it and knew it was [going out.] I went two for four today.”
The Vaqueros lashed back to tie the score 4-4 with three runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth. Two leadoff walks allowed by Raider starter Zak Daniels and a critical error on first baseman Dalton Duarte resulted in two runs. A base hit by right fielder Nicholas Allman drove home the third.
“Another no-decision and the walks definitely hurt me, but it was a great team win,” said Daniels who played for Santa Barbara last season. “Going into the game there were some nerves, but once I got on the mound, it’s just another team. It was good to see some of the old guys.”
A leadoff walk and a Raider error at second base put two runners on bases in the fifth. Daniel’s second walk of the inning loaded the bases with one out and leftfielder Connor Clark’s fly ball to deep center brought home the Vaqueros’ final run.
“Our starter, Daniels didn’t have his best, but didn’t let the game get out of hand,” said Pitching Coach Curtis Scott. “We played great defense and it’s great to pitch behind our hitters because we’re going to score runs.”
Moorpark took the lead for good with two on and two outs in the sixth inning. A base hit by Aucelluzzo drove in one, and Kueber’s hit with runners on first and third drove home the final nail, 6-4.
“Jesse said before the game that he was going to hit one before me, so I had to go ahead and [homer too,]” Tate said laughing.
The second leg of the four-game Western State Conference series against the Vaqueros will be played at Santa Barbara starting 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Moorpark will host local rivals Pierce College at Raider Stadium at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25.
