High-scoring Pierce topples Vaqueros, 12-5

L.A. Pierce racked up 12 runs in its last five at-bats to defeat SBCC 12-5 on Saturday in a WSC North baseball game in Woodland Hills.

The Brahmas (12-8-1, 6-3) are the highest-scoring team in the state with an 8.1 average. They've scored 50 runs while winning their last four games. Pierce moved into second place in the WSC North, one game behind Oxnard (7-2).

The Vaqueros (16-7, 5-4) fell into a third-place tie with Hancock after dropping their fourth game in six outings. First baseman Trey Barrett went 3-4 for the Vaqueros and gave them a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the second. Connor McManigal was 2-3 with two RBIs.

Joe Moran and Alex Sawelson each drove in three runs for the Brahmas, who collected 15 hits off five SBCC pitchers.

"Pierce is pretty hot and playing well right now," said SBCC coach Jeff Walker. "The ball seems to be bouncing their way."

Noah Villegas (3-2) took the loss, giving up five runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings. Pierce scored five runs in the fourth off Villegas and two more in the fifth off reliever Cody Van Aken.

Harsa Prahara got the win, holding SBCC to three runs on five hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked four. Pablo Gonzalez pitched the last two innings for his fourth save.

The Vaqueros got their second run in the sixth when Spencer Erdman reached on an error, stole second and scored on a single by McManigal. They pulled within two (7-5) by scoring three more in the eighth on a bases-loaded single by McManigal, a sacrifice fly by Barrett and an RBI groundout by James Hill.

Pierce put the game away in the bottom of the eighth, tallying five runs on six hits.

The Vaqueros will host the Brahmas on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.