Pirates split DH with Cougars; win series, 2-1
SAN LUIS OBISPO -- It was a successful road trip for the Orange Coast College baseball team after the Pirates took two of three from the host Cuesta Cougars this past weekend.
After winning the season-opener on Friday, 7-1, Coast was edged by Cuesta, 2-1 on Saturday before bouncing back with a 3-1 win over the Cougars in the doubleheader nightcap.
In Saturday's first game, Coast lead 1-0 after five innings before the Cougars tied things up thanks to a leadoff walk, a sacrifice bunt and an error by OCC third baseman Ricky Navarro.
It stayed that way until the bottom of the eighth when Cuesta used a walk, a double and a sacrifice fly by Scott Schields to plate the eventual winning run.
OCC starter Kyle Dowty allowed only one hit through six innings, but five walks proved troublesome. He was outdualed by Cuesta starter Lucas Martin, who threw a complete game and allowed one unearned run on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
In the seven-inning nightcap, it was OCC's turn to rally late. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the sixth with the bases empty and two outs, the Coast offense finally came to life. Andrew Alvarez drew a two-out walk and Greg Espinosa pinch-ran for the sophomore infielder. Navarro followed with a single and Manny Argomaniz tied the game up with an RBI-single.
Again, the Pirates went to the bench and sophomore catcher Steve Pollakov came trough with an RBI-single, scoring Navarro to put Coast ahead, 2-1.
The scoring was capped off when Zach Nehrir reached on an error, allowing Argomaniz to score the Pirates' third and final run.
Cuesta did not go down quietly in the bottom of the seventh-and-final inning. A double, a single and a walk loaded the bases with one out before reliever David Longville worked out of the jam by coaxing a game-ending 1-2-3 double play to end the game in favor of the Pirates.
Dallas Draviczki picked up the win after allowing just one earned run over 6 1/3 innings with one walk and five strikeouts.
The sophomore trio of Argomaniz, Nehrir and Navarro led Coast's offense with a combined 13 hits, three runs scored and six RBI.
OCC's pitchers opened the season strong, holding the host Cougars to just four runs (three earned) over the 24 innings played between the two teams.
The Pirates return to action on Tuesday at College of the Canyons, beginning at 2 p.m. Coast's home opener will be on Saturday against Long Beach City College, beginning at 12 p.m.
