City College was firing on all cylinders, scoring 10 runs in the first four innings of a 10-1 rout of Cuesta College Friday at Pershing Park.
Sophomores Cam Jones (No.25) and Matt Henderson (No.6), the first two batters in the Vaquero lineup, set the pace for City College. The two batters combined to go 6-7 with two RBIs and five runs.
“It was a big day for the top of our lineup,” head coach Jeff Walker said. “Cam Jones kind of set the table, and our defense did the rest.”
City College had lost to Oxnard 4-2 the day before, falling from first to second in the Western State Conference. The Vaqueros saw improved offense and defense on Friday, batting efficiently while allowing few baserunners to Cuesta.
Sophomore catcher Jimmy Hill (No.15) had a big day, going 2-3 with three RBIs, two runs and a walk.
“The approach is be on time with the fastball,” Hill said. “Get guys on, get them over, then get them in.”
“It was an all-around great team effort. Guys talking selfless at bats, and getting the next guy up.”
City College’s prolific offense was highlighted by the fact that they were facing one of the toughest pitchers in the state. Before Friday, Cuesta starting pitcher Brendan Jenkins(No.40) had the second-best ERA in California, giving up just three earned runs in over 50 innings pitched on the season.
The Vaqueros broke open the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Up 4-1, right fielder Noeh Martinez (No.17) and second baseman Spencer Erdman (No.5) both singled off of Cuesta’s Jenkins to put baserunners on the corners for City College.
Jones and Henderson followed up with hits to bring both runners home. Jenkins hit the next batter to load the bases, then walked Hill to bring Jones home. Jenkins would give up six runs in the inning before being relieved by Dan Beavers.
City College starter Justin Bruce gave up a run in the first inning, but settled in and kept Cuesta off the board until he was relieved in the eighth by sophomore pitcher Pierce Romero (No.30).
Romero gave up no hits and one walk in two innings pitched. Bruce gave up a total of five hits and one run in seven innings pitched.
“Justin pounds the crap out of the strike zone, and gives us a chance,” Hill said. “Our guys are gonna play lights-out defense behind him. You can always count on our guys.”
The Vaqueros improved their season record to 19-6, 12-5 in conference play. They are still half a game behind Oxnard. Cuesta remains third in the conference, but now trails City College by three games.
“It was good offensive day, good defensive day. It was good to bounce back with positive energy after yesterday’s tough loss,” Walker said.
City College will play three non-conference games before resuming the final seven games of its conference schedule.
The Vaqueros next game is at 2:30 on Tuesday, March 31 at Glendale.
