Pierce Turns Dull Start Into Rousing Finish : College baseball: Warren settles down after leadoff homer as Brahmas pound Glendale, 18-2, to retain one-game lead.

Never try to guess the ending of a baseball game by its beginning.

Those at Pierce College on Saturday who watched a Western State Conference matchup between Glendale College and the Brahmas can attest to that.

After Glendale took a quick lead when center fielder Bryan Warner opened the game with a home run, Pierce pounded two of three Vaquero pitchers for an 18-2 victory to retain their South Division lead.

The Brahmas (23-14, 15-7 in conference play) lead Bakersfield by one game with three games remaining.

Pierce defeated the Renegades, 6-3, on Thursday.

With Saturday’s victory, the Brahmas also eliminated Glendale (12-19-1, 10-11-1) from the South race.

“These were two big games for us this week,” Pierce Coach Bob Lofrano said. “We responded well.”

Against Glendale, the Brahmas answered with a 19-hit attack and a strong outing from right-hander Jason Warren (4-3).

Warren, a freshman from Agoura High, allowed only three hits, struck out five and walked none in eight innings before giving way to closer Chris Frith-Smith.

Warren retired the last 14 batters and was flawless except for Warner’s opening shot and a solo home run by Randy Vickers in the fourth.

It was the ninth home run for the left-handed Warner and the 13th for Vickers.

“That was a big performance by a freshman,” Lofrano said of Warren.

“He has beaten these guys twice. He let the offense have a chance to take over.”

That they did, with a seven-run explosion in the fourth to take a 9-2 lead, and with six runs in the seventh.

Left fielder Heath McElwee provided the big blow in the fourth with a three-run home run against Vickers (0-2).

Wickers usually plays shortstop for the Vaqueros.

The right-hander finished the inning but was relieved in the fifth by Rick Luna after yielding 10 hits and nine runs, eight earned.

Luna, a freshman right-hander, couldn’t stop the onslaught. The Brahmas touched him for another nine runs.

Right-fielder Robert Vazquez, who was three for five with six RBIs, hit his third consecutive double in the seventh inning, a two-run liner down the right-field line.

He scored moments later on a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Mike Rutter.

Third baseman Lou Tapia and catcher Brian Sturges also had three hits for Pierce.

And McElwee added a single in the seventh to go with his fourth-inning homer.

Pierce has picked up momentum at the right time and Lofrano hopes the Brahmas can keep it going for the final three conference games and into the state playoffs.

“Hopefully, we’ll have some confidence (going into those games),” Lofrano said.