Erdman, Van Aken guide No. 2 Vaqueros past Hancock, 8-3

By Dave Loveton, SBCC Sports Information

Spencer Erdman drove in three runs on Saturday and Cody Van Aken pitched solid in middle relief, leading SBCC to an 8-3 baseball win over Hancock in a first-place battle at Pershing Park.

The Vaqueros, ranked No. 2 in Southern Cal, improved to 9-1 at home. They're 3-0 in the WSC North and 14-3 on the season. Felipe Gonzalez went 3-4 and drove in all three runs for the No. 3-ranked Bulldogs (12-4-1, 2-1).

Santa Barbara took a 3-0 lead in the second on three unearned runs. Connor McManigal walked and Patrick O'Brien was hit by a pitch with one out. Brent Sesma's grounder to third baseman Ryan Bendele was thrown away, allowing McManigal and O'Brien to score. Sesma, who beat a throw to reach third base, got a quick start and scored on Erdman's groundout to the pitcher.

After giving up a run in the third, the Vaqueros scored four more in the bottom of the inning. James Brakka and Brett Sesma had RBI singles with Sesma getting a bunt single. Erdman followed with a single to right that scored two and made it 7-1.

O'Brien, a 6-5 catcher from Orinda, Calif., was 2-2 with an RBI. He reached base four times, including being hit by a pitch in his first two at-bats, and scored twice.

"He was missing outside and I just wore it (the ball)," said O'Brien. "I'm not scared to get hit.

"We made him (Hancock starter Ryan Bower) throw strikes. We saw a lot of pitches and put the pressure on the defense. Once we get into their bullpen, things usually go well for us."

The Vaqueros are the highest scoring team in California and they hit their average of 8.3 per game. Bower entered the game with a 4-0 record and a 1.80 ERA. The Vaqueros scored seven runs off him (four earned) on three hits in three innings. Bower had a trifecta with three strikeouts, three walks and three  hit batters.

"That's a formidable pitcher we faced," said SBCC coach Jeff Walker. "For me, the key at-bat was in the second inning. Trey Barrett had an 11- or 12-pitch at-bat (before flying out deep to left field) and that set the table. Their guy was uncomfortable going left-right, left-right. We have a tough lineup to pitch to."

Ryan Massengale started on the mound for the Vaqueros and was relieved by Justin Bruce to start the third. Bruce (3-1) allowed a run and four of the five batters he faced reached base but he still got the victory.

Van Aken, a sophomore side-armer, came on with runners on the corners and two outs in the third. He got Bendele on a flyout to center. Van Aken went 4 1/3 innings, holding the Bulldogs to two runs on one hit with three strikeouts.

Lucas Benenati pitched the eighth and Kit Larson threw a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the victory.

"The strength of our team is our depth," Walker added. "I tell our guys it's not so much who starts the game as who finishes it. That applies to the position side and our pitchers as well."

The Vaqueros travel to Santa Maria to take on Hancock on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.