Gavilan diamondmen beat host team in Santa Barbara Tournament
for only victory
SANTA BARBARA – The Gavilan College baseball team represented on the road at the Santa Barbara Tournament from April 15-17 – finishing with a 1-3 record in non-conference action.
After losing their first two games of the tournament, the Rams regrouped and did not leave town without getting a win. Gavilan got into its winning groove against host Santa Barbara – securing a 6-4 victory.
Freshman starter Kurt Simmons got the ‘W’ as the Gilroy High graduate allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out seven in six-and-one-third innings of work. Sophomore Scott Perkins – another former GHS diamondmen – earned the save by pitching two-and-two-thirds innings of shutout ball.
The entire Gavilan line-up contributed to the team’s offensive output – led by two-RBI efforts from freshman Christian Cedano (2-for-4, double) and freshman Nick Buzzeta (1-for-4). Freshman lead-off man Ritchie Rodriguez finished 2-for-4, sophomore Shannon Fernandez (1-for-2) worked three base-on-balls, and sophomore Nick Bakich (1-for-4) scored twice with two stolen bases.
In addition, freshman Rene Dimas (1-for-5, RBI), freshman Brian Meek (1-for-4, double), and sophomore Brian Crane (1-for-4) all registered base knocks.
Gavilan scored its six runs with three in each of the first two innings and then held off Santa Barbara – which scored two runs in the fourth and fifth frames.
The Rams followed with a tight 6-5 loss to Moorpark in 10 innings. Rodriguez (8.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 10 BB, 5 K) got the starting nod and pitched into the ninth inning before getting relieved by Perkins – who was hit with the loss after giving up two earned runs in the final two frames.
The Gavilan bats stayed steady as Rodriguez (2-for-5, RBI, RS); Bakich (2-for-4, RBI, RS, double); Dimas (2-for-5, RBI, double); sophomore Louis Fumagalli (2-for-5); and freshman Josh Becknall (2-for-3, RS) all had multiple-hit days. Fernandez also belted a 2-RBI double.
After falling behind 2-0 in the third inning, Gavilan scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning before giving up three in the eighth and one in the 10th.
The Rams opened the tournament with a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Oxnard College. Buzzeta took the loss – pitching into the third inning before giving way to Crane (4.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K) and then freshman lefty Gabe Gonzalez (1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 K).
Fernandez led off with a 2-for-5 effort at the plate, including a double, while Rodriguez, Dimas, and Becknall picked up base hits.
Gavilan – which scored its only run in the top of the eight inning on an RBI via Buzzeta – fell behind 3-0 after three frames and 5-0 after seven frames.
In game-two, the Rams dropped an 8-3 decision to Ventura College – with sophomore starter Paul Valenzuela (7.1 IP, 8 ER, 11 H, 4 BB, 2 K) hanging tough into the eighth inning. Gonzalez got the final two outs in the eighth.
The Rams jumped out to a 3-0 lead with all of their runs coming in the first inning – but Ventura scored four runs in the second and four in the third to take the lead for good.
For Gavilan, Fernandez went 2-for-3 and Bakich finished with three runs-batted-in. Base hits also came off the bats of Rodriguez, freshman Rocco Costanza (GHS graduate), Buzzeta, and Perkins.
The Rams will hit the road for an April 24 conference game against Ohlone at 2:30 p.m. and then head to San Mateo for an April 26 match-up. Gavilan returns home for an April 29 clash with West Valley at 2:30 p.m.
