No. 3 Vaqueros edge No. 2 Oxnard 4-2, move back into first

SBCC broke a 2-2 tie on two-out RBI singles by Brandon Evans and Connor McManigal in the seventh on Tuesday and went on to beat Oxnard 4-2 in a WSC North first-place baseball battle.

The No. 3-ranked Vaqueros (16-5, 5-2) are 11-1 at Pershing Park this year. No. 2 Oxnard fell to 15-4 and 5-2.

Santa Barbara got a strong effort from starting pitcher Justin Bruce, who matched one of the top pitchers in the state, Luke Eubank, pitch for pitch. Bruce, a freshman right-hander from San Jose, gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and a walk, leaving after allowing a leadoff double in the seventh to Jeremy Alvarado.

Cody Van Aken (2-0) came on and gave up the tying run on a single by Ryan Tinkham, then got out of a bases-loaded jam with a pair of popouts.

Eubank entered with a 7-0 record and a miniscule 0.52 ERA. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks.

"Their guy pitched as advertised," said SBCC coach Jeff Walker. "He was the California High School Player of the Year two years ago for a reason (at Newbury Park High). Our guys did a great job of grinding him down and getting into their bullpen.

"It was a good team win."

Connor McManigal went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored, raising his team-leading average to .367. McManigal doubled to lead off the sixth and put the Vaqueros ahead 2-1 when he scored on a sacrifice fly by James Brakka. Patrick O'Brien added two hits for the Vaqueros.

Evans' two-out single to right scored Brett Sesma to put SBCC ahead 3-2 in the seventh. Matt Henderson singled to left and McManigal stroked a single through the right side, scoring Evans.

"We'd been pretty lackadaisical the last few games," McManigal stated. "Yesterday we had a real quick practice with everyone moving as fast as possible. I definitely think it showed today with our energy on the field.

"I've been seeing the ball decent the last few games and hopefully, it continues."

Kit Larson took the mound in the eighth and retired six straight batters to earn his fourth save.

"There's really not a closer in college baseball, it's more of a stopper," said Walker.
"Traditionally in the major leagues, you get a guy who comes in in the ninth. Kit probably could have given us three innings today, if we had needed it."

The same teams will battle on Thursday in a 2:30 p.m. game at Oxnard.