Pierce Stops Ventura for WSC Title

The loudspeaker at Pierce College on Saturday blasted a recent tune from Soundgarden moments before the Brahmas played host to Ventura in a baseball game that would determine the Western State Conference title.

“I’m feelin’ . . . Outshined! Outshined! Outshined!”

Before long, Ventura could relate.

Pierce broke a tie with a five-run, fifth-inning rally, and the Brahmas outshined the Pirates in a 7-2 victory in the regular-season finale for both teams. Left-hander Mike Eby (8-1) overcame a rocky start to finish with a six-hitter.

Pierce, which clinched a share of the title Thursday, wrapped up first place and will be the home team in its state regional playoff opener May 8.

Ventura (23-13, 14-6 in WSC play), which finished tied for second with Bakersfield in conference play, will play host to a first-round conference tournament game Tuesday in its bid to claim a regional berth.

“Pierce is an excellent team,” Ventura Coach Gary Anglin said. “We’re still proud of our guys, but we’re not as talented.”

Pierce (28-6, 16-4), which tied for the WSC title last year, struggled early against right-hander Andy Moffat (5-2), who four-hit the Brahmas in the Pirates’ 3-1 victory at Ventura on April 4. Through three innings, Pierce had one hit and trailed, 2-0.

A crack appeared in the dam in the fourth, however. Moffat struck out Josh Smaler but walked Ricky Banuelos, Adam Pearlman and Paul Geller--the lower three in the order--to load the bases. Erik Martinez singled to drive in Banuelos. Joey Arnold’s fielder’s choice drove in Pearlman to tie the score.

Moffat then walked his seventh batter to again load the bases and was relieved by Karl Whitnall, who retired Brian Smith to end the rally. Pierce had stranded eight runners at that point.

But the Brahmas are the best hitting team in the WSC--averaging 8.6 runs a game--and that became apparent in the fifth. After a walk to Robby Welles and a sacrifice by Smaler, Banuelos tripled and Pearlman doubled to give Pierce a 4-2 lead. Geller then flied out for the second out but four consecutive batters then reached base.

Martinez singled to drive in Pearlman and Joey Arnold walked. Jason Cohen greeted reliever Pete Alamillo with a single that knocked in Martinez. Smith, the ninth batter of the inning, reached on an error and Arnold scored to make it 7-2.

In the ensuing four innings, Ventura went hitless. Eby faced the minimum from the sixth through the eighth and walked one batter with two out in the ninth.

“When we got that lead I felt like there was another life in me,” Eby said. “It was like, ‘This is hard to lose. We have a five-run lead. Go out and get them. Go after the hitters.’ ”