Pierce Takes the Stick to Santa Barbara City, 17-12

Batting practice, the Western State Conference way, was on display again Thursday as host Pierce College outslugged Santa Barbara City, 17-12, to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth.

The Brahmas (19-12, 16-8 in conference play), the defending WSC champions, are in third place behind Canyons (19-3) and Valley (15-8-1) in the 30-game conference race. Santa Barbara City dropped to 14-17-1, 11-11-1, eight games off the pace.

Pierce took advantage of 16 hits--including eight for extra bases--seven walks and five errors to defeat the Vaqueros for the third time in three games.

“The ballpark played small today because of the way the wind was blowing,” Pierce Coach Bob Lofrano said.

The light breeze that blew toward the outfield might have helped some drives travel farther, but it had little to do with the four home runs smashed by the teams.

Santa Barbara City third baseman Dave Lopez rocketed the first homer to open the second and sent the Vaqueros on their way to a 3-0 lead by the time the inning was over.

The Brahmas struck back with five runs in the fourth, four on two-run home runs by first baseman Jason Cohen and designated hitter Kevin Milligan.

However, Santa Barbara City chased right-hander Steve Pack with five runs in the fifth, two on a single to center by Lopez.

Pierce tied it, 8-8, with a three-run fifth inning sparked by a two-out, two-run single by third baseman Louis Tapia. Boyd Sumner then led off the sixth with a home run off reliever Tony Dellamano (3-1) and the Vaqueros added two in the inning for an 11-8 cushion.

The Brahmas broke it open with seven runs in the sixth, the last three off reliever Tom Swankosky (2-4). Pierce had four doubles in the inning, including three in a row by Herman Merchan, Jason Cohen and Josh Smaler. Right-fielder Robert Vazquez had the other double, a line drive down the left-field line that knocked in Milligan with the sixth run of the inning.

After Dellamano tired in the ninth, shortstop Bryan Corey relieved him and recorded the final two outs.