2012 Game Stories
By Dave Loveton, sports information
Sunday, May 6 -- Southern Cal Regional, Game 2: SBCC 3, Canyons 2 Game 3: Canyons 13, SBCC 1 (5 inn) Final record: 24-17
Vaqueros beat No. 1 but lose Regional series
Thompson drives in two in 3-2 win at Canyons
After posting one of the biggest wins in program history, SBCC got knocked around
in the third and deciding game of its Southern Cal Regional series on Sunday at College
of the Canyons.
Third baseman Bryn Thompson went 2-3 and drove in two runs in a 3-2 victory over the
top-seeded Cougars in Santa Clarita. Canyons had its 15-game win streak snapped and
suffered its first home loss in 18 games this year.
The Cougars roared back in Game 3 with a 13-1 win in five innings. Canyons, the No.
1 seed in the 16-team Regional, took the best-of-3 series 2-1 and improved to 39-3-1
on the season.
Canyons scored five in the second inning and piled on eight more in the fourth thanks
to nine hits and a walk. Pitcher Kimmie Lockhart (24-1) went 3-3 with a two-run single
and tossed a four-hitter in Game 3.
The 16th-seeded Vaqueros finished the year with a 24-17 record.
“That was a great win in the first game and our kids really believed they could win
two today,” said coach Paula Congleton. “We were never intimidated.”
The Vaqueros were designated as the home team in Sunday’s first game. They took a
2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run single by Thompson. After Canyons cut the
margin to 2-1, the Vaqueros added a run in the fifth on a single by Tara Crawford,
a sacrifice bunt, a passed ball and an RBI single to center by catcher Lauren Larabell.
“Mariah Coyazo had a wonderful weekend in her final games at shortstop for us,” said
Congleton. “We peaked at the right time (winning 11 of their last 13 in the regular
season).
“We have 13 freshmen coming back and we told them to remember what happened today,
so we can improve when we get to the playoffs next year.”
Game 2
Canyons ……. 000 010 1 -- 2 5 0
SBCC ……...… 002 010 x -- 3 5 0
Paiz and Correa; Acosta, Harris (6) and Larabell. W--Acosta 12-6. L--Paiz 16-3.
Game 3
(5 inn., run rule)
SBCC …….…. 010 00 -- 1 4 1
Canyons …… 050 8x -- 13 17 0
Harris, Acosta (2), Harris (4) and Larabell; Lockhart and Droege. W--Lockhart 24-1.
L--Harris 12-11.
2B--C: Droege. 3B--C: Zimmerman. HR--C: Correa (19), 4th inn., two on.
Records--SB 24-17; COC 39-3-1.
Saturday, May 5 -- Southern Cal Regional (best-of-3), Game 1: SBCC at Canyons, 2 p.m. #1 Canyons 7, #16 SBCC 2 Record: 23-16
Vaqueros fall to Canyons 7-2
No. 1 Cougars take Regional opener
Canyons scored five times in the fourth inning on Saturday and went on to beat SBCC
7-2 in a Southern Cal Regional opener in Santa Clarita.
The 16th-seeded Vaqueros (23-16) managed just two hits off Kimmie Lockhart and had their five-game
win streak snapped. The top-seeded Cougars (38-2-1) won for the 15th straight time.
The second game of the best-of-3 series is set for Sunday at noon at Canyons, followed
by a third game if necessary.
Santa Barbara took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Kylie Onstott stole third and scored
on a passed ball. Adriana Correa, the Southern Cal leader in homers, hit her 18th to lead off the bottom of the fourth, igniting a five-run uprising.
Lockhart (23-1) struck out 10 and walked eight. Celeste Acosta (11-6) suffered the
loss, giving up five runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings.
“We knew Lockhart would throw the riseball but it’s been up and out so we wanted
to lay off it,” said SBCC coach Paula Congleton. “We lost our patience in the fourth.
Then we lost some concentration and you can’t do that against a good-hitting team
like Canyons.
The Vaqueros cut the deficit to 5-2 in the fifth when Bryn Thompson was hit by a
pitch and Lockhart walked two batters. Kayla Dormer got an infield single to the hole
at shortstop, bringing in Thompson.
SBCC …….…. 000 100 0 -- 2 2 4
Canyons …… 000 502 x -- 7 7 1
Acosta, Harris (5) and Larabell; Lockhart and Droege. W--Lockhart 23-1. L--Acosta
11-6.
HR--C: Correa (18), 4th inn., none on.
Records--SB 23-16; COC 38-2-1.
Tuesday, April 24 -- SBCC at L.A. Pierce (DH), 1 & 3 p.m. SBCC 9-13, Pierce 6-2 (2nd game, 6 inns) Records: 23-15, 13-5 (WSC Gold, 2nd place)
Cabada, Thompson power Vaquero sweep
SBCC beats Pierce 9-6 and 13-2 to secure second in WSC Gold Division
Samantha Cabada homered in each game and Bryn Thompson went 5-for-7 to guide SBCC
to a doubleheader sweep over L.A. Pierce on Tuesday in Woodland Hills. The scores
of the final regular-season games were 9-6 and 13-2 in six innings.
Cabada belted her first homer of the year in the fifth inning of the opener as the
Vaqueros (23-15, 13-5) opened up a 7-4 lead. Cabada went 2-4 in the first game and
drilled a three-run shot in the nightcap to highlight a nine-run sixth inning.
Santa Barbara finished second in the WSC Gold Division behind Ventura (16-2). This
is the first time the Vaqueros have made the playoffs in back-to-back years in Paula
Congleton’s 14-year coaching tenure.
“It feels great to be in the playoffs again,” said Congleton. “Mariah Coyazo (SBCC’s
shortstop) is going to be the first player to ever go to two straight Southern California
Regionals for us.”
The Vaqueros won their last five games and 11 of their last 13. Pierce finishes at
5-30 and 1-17.
Coyazo went 2-3 with an RBI in the first game while Thompson and Cabada were 2-4.
Lauren Larabell hit her first home run, a two-run shot in the seventh that pushed
the lead to 9-5.
Celeste Acosta came on in relief in the fourth inning and allowed just two runs on
two hits while striking out seven. Alyse Harris got both wins to improve to 12-10.
Harris tossed a four-hitter in the nightcap with seven strikeouts and one walk.
In the second game, Thompson was 3-3 with four runs, two stolen bases and an RBI.
Coyazo was 2-5 with two RBIs and two runs.
SBCC will probably be on the road for the Southern Cal Regional, a best 2-of-3 series
on May 5-6. The pairings will be announced on Saturday.
First Game
SBCC …….….... 140 020 2 -- 9 10 1
L.A. Pierce .….. 013 010 1 -- 6 6 2
Harris, Acosta (4) and Larabell; Abrenica and Becerra. W--Harris 11-10. L--Abrenica.
HR--SB: Cabada (1), 5th inn., none on; Larabell (1), 7th inn., one on.
Second Game
(6 inns, run rule)
SBCC …….…….. 003 109 -- 13 14 1
L.A. Pierce ..….. 000 020 -- 2 4 1
Acosta, Harris (1) and Larabell; Abrenica and Becerra. W--Harris 12-10. L--Abrenica.
2B--SB: Harris. HR--SB: Cabada (2), 6th inn., two on.
Records--SBCC 23-15, 13-5 WSC Gold; LAP 5-30, 1-17.
Tuesday, April 17 -- Moorpark at SBCC (DH), 1 & 3 p.m. SBCC 2-3, Moorpark 0-0 Records: 21-15, 11-5
Acosta, Harris shut down Moorpark
They hold Raiders to 7 hits in 2-0 and 3-0 wins
Celeste Acosta and Alyse Harris blanked Moorpark in a WSC Gold Division doubleheader
on Tuesday, leading SBCC to shutout wins of 2-0 and 3-0 at Pershing Park.
The Vaqueros (21-15, 11-5) solidified their hold on second place in the division race.
Moorpark fell to 14-22-1 and 7-7.
SBCC has won three in a row (all by shutout) and nine of 11.
Acosta (10-5) tossed a three-hitter in the opener, striking out nine and walking
three. Shortstop Mariah Coyazo, one of two sophomores playing their final home game,
had two doubles and drove in Kylie Onstott with the first run on a double in the fifth
inning.
“These were our last home games and we all want to go to the playoffs,” said Coyazo.
“My teammates were cheering me on. That pumped me up.
“Celeste was hitting her spots and her changeup was killer.”
Harris posted her second straight shutout in the second game, holding the Raiders
to four singles. She escaped jams with runners on first and second in the fourth and
seventh innings.
It was the 13th complete game for Harris (10-10), who struck out five and walked one.
Catcher Lauren Larabell went 4-for-6 on the day (2-3 in each game) to raise her team-leading
average to .423. Samantha Cabada drove in Bryn Thompson with the first run in the
third inning of the nightcap and Larabell followed with a two-run double to left.
All three runs were unearned.
“I was able to capitalize on some of their misses,” said Larabell, a freshman from
Hesperia. “They missed low and middle and that’s one of my favorite pitches. Our team
was really patient with runners on.
“These were two really big wins that should take us to the playoffs. We owed them
something because they shouldn’t have beat us the last time.”
Cabada was 2-3 in the second game and scored a run for the Vaqueros, who didn’t commit
an error in 14 innings. The pitchers held Moorpark scoreless and only allowed seven
singles.
“To give up just seven hits on the day is really good,” said coach Paula Congleton.
“Our pitchers were hitting their spots and getting a lot of groundouts. They both
did a phenomenal job.
“It took us a while to score in the first game. In the second game, the kids were
nice and relaxed and started to hit the ball better. It was a great day.
“These were two huge wins. We really had to win both to help our playoff chances.”
SBCC completes the regular season on Tuesday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at L.A. Pierce.
First Game
Moorpark …….. 000 000 0 -- 0 3 0
SBCC ..….….….. 000 011 x -- 2 7 0
Lewis and Lee; Acosta and Larabell. W--Acosta 11-5. L--Lewis.
2B--SB: Coyazo 2.
Second Game
Moorpark …….. 000 000 0 -- 0 4 2
SBCC ...…….….. 003 000 x -- 3 7 0
Whiteside, Barbato (3) and Lee; Harris and Larabell. W--Harris 10-10. L--Whiteside.
2B--SB: Larabell.
Records--M 14-22-1, 7-7 WSC Gold; SBCC 21-15, 11-5.
Thursday, April 12 -- Oxnard at SBCC, 2:30 p.m. SBCC 4, Oxnard 0 Records: 19-15, 9-5 WSC Gold (2nd place)
Harris tosses 2-hitter in 4-0 win
SBCC uses 3 unearned runs to down Oxnard
Alyse Harris wasn’t bothered by the rain or the Oxnard batters on Thursday as the
SBCC sophomore pitched a two-hit shutout to beat the Condors 4-0 in a WSC game at
Pershing Park.
“I actually feel like I pitch better in the rain,” said Harris, a right-hander from
Denver, Colo. “It seems like every time it rains, I’m on.”
Santa Barbara (19-15, 9-5) won for the seventh time in nine games to remain in second
place in the WSC Gold Division. The Vaqueros are 9-2 at home. Oxnard fell to 11-18
and 5-8.
It was the 12th complete game and first shutout of the season for Harris (9-10), who retired the
first 10 batters in a light rain. She gave up a single and double with one out in
the fourth, then got the last two outs on a strikeout and a popup to first.
Harris struck out three and didn’t walk a batter. She retired the last 11 batters
in order.
“My curve was working pretty well and my screwball was working,” said Harris. “The
other things that were working were my offense and defense. They were both on, which
was great.”
The Vaqueros score three runs in the first inning on two hits, two walks and an error.
Samantha Cabada had an infield single, Lauren Larabell reached on a fielder’s choice
and Bryn Thompson singled to left to load the bases.
Natalie Orosco walked to force in the first run. The other two scored when Tara Crawford
grounded to third and the ball was thrown over the first baseman’s head.
SBCC added a run in the third on a single by Larabell, a walk and a throwing error
that brought in Larabell.
“Alyse was really in her zone today,” said coach Paula Congleton. “We had a lot of
groundouts (13) which means she was doing what she needed to do on the mound.
“Our offensive production wasn’t great but we took advantage of every mishap that
Oxnard had.”
Condor pitchers Heather Bacon and Janai Shaw held the Vaqueros to four singles and
two of those were infield hits.
SBCC is battling Moorpark, Hancock and Oxnard for second place and a playoff berth.
The Vaqueros have two doubleheaders remaining -- Tuesday at home vs. Moorpark at 1
p.m. and April 24 at L.A. Pierce.
Oxnard …….. 000 000 0 -- 0 2 2
SBCC ..…….. 301 000 x -- 4 4 0
Bacon, Shaw (5) and Mochizuki; Harris and Larabell. W--Harris 9-10. L--Bacon 8-11.
2B--O: Mochizuki.
Records--O 11-18, 5-8; SB 19-15, 9-5.
Tuesday, April 10 -- SBCC at Ventura (DH), 1 & 3 p.m. Ventura 4-8, SBCC 1-0 (2nd game, 6 inn.) Records: 18-15, 8-5
Ventura sweeps Vaqueros 4-1 and 8-0
First-place Pirates hold SBCC to 1 run in two games
SBCC took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of Tuesday’s opening game but it was all
Ventura after that as the Pirates posted two wins, 4-1 and 8-0, to solidify their
hold on first place in the WSC Gold Division.
Santa Barbara (18-15, 8-5), which started the day in second place, had its six-game
win streak snapped. Ventura, ranked No. 9 in Southern Cal, improved to 27-6 and 12-2.
The visiting Vaqueros outhit Ventura in the first game 8-5 but couldn’t string their
hits together. Tara Crawford walked, stole second and scored on Mariah Coyazo’s single
to right to give the Vaqueros a 1-0 lead in the second.
Teresa Lemos (21-5) picked up both pitching wins and tossed a three-hitter in the
second game, which ended in the bottom of the sixth due to the 8-run rule. The Vaqueros
had four errors in Game 2. Ventura had 11 hits in the nightcap and no errors on the
day.
“We were hitting balls right at their players all day,“ said assistant coach Erin
Breck. “It was very frustrating, especially after winning six in a row.“
Santa Barbara hosts Oxnard on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
First Game
SBCC ….…..... 010 000 0 -- 1 8 1
Ventura .….... 002 110 x -- 4 5 0
Acosta, Harris (3) and Larabell; Lemos and Cortez. W--Lemos 20-5 L--Acosta 10-5.
3B--V: Lemos, Garcia.
Second Game (6 inn.)
SBCC ……..... 000 000 -- 0 3 4
Ventura .…... 111 032 -- 8 11 0
Harris and Larabell; Lemos and Cortez. W--Lemos 21-5. L--Harris 8-10.
2B--V: Samaniego.
Records--SB: 18-15, 8-5 WSC Gold; VC: 27-6, 12-2.
Thursday, April 5 -- SBCC at Cuesta, 2:30 p.m. SBCC 10, Cuesta 0 (5 inns) Records: 18-13, 8-3 (2nd place)
Acosta stings Cuesta with arm and bat
She tosses 2-hitter and homers; Portese hits 2-run HR in 10-0 win
Celeste Acosta pitched a two-hit shutout and belted her first homer Thursday to lead
SBCC to a 10-0 Western State Conference win over Cuesta in San Luis Obispo. The game
was shortened to five runs by the 8-run rule.
Brianna Portese also homered for the Vaqueros (18-13, 8-3), who extended their season-high
win streak to six games. She drilled her fifth homer, a two-run shot during a four-run
fourth inning. Brianna Gill had an RBI double in the fourth and Natalie Orosco added
a run-scoring single.
“We hit the ball hard today and our defense was stellar (no errors),” said coach
Paula Congleton. “Even some of our outs were shots.”
Acosta, a freshman from San Jose, improved to 10-4 after striking out five and walking
one. She gave up singles in the first and fifth innings.
Leadoff hitter Samantha Cabada was 2-3 and two doubles and two runs while Portese
was 1-2 with three RBIs and two walks.
The second-place Vaqueros travel to Gold Division leader Ventura on Tuesday for a
1 p.m. doubleheader. SBCC (8-3) is 1.5 games behind the Pirates (10-2).
(5 innings, run rule)
SBCC ….…. 023 41 -- 10 8 0
Cuesta .….. 000 00 -- 0 2 1
Acosta and Portese; Gaslan, Miller (3), Lenz (4) and Hoversten. W--Acosta 10-4. L--Gaslan
5-10.
2B--SB: Cabada 2, Gill. HR--SB: Acosta (1), 2nd inn., none on; Portese (5), 4th inn., one on.
Tuesday, April 3 -- Hancock at SBCC (DH), 1 & 3 p.m. SBCC 8-6, Hancock 7-4 (1st game, 8 inns) Records: 17-13, 7-3 WSC Gold
Vaqueros sweep Hancock 8-7 and 6-4
Crawford has walk-off single; SBCC turns triple play in 2nd game
The first games in April were memorable for SBCC as the Vaqueros swept Hancock on
Tuesday in a battle for second place in the WSC Gold Division.
Santa Barbara edged Hancock 8-7 on Tara Crawford’s walk-off RBI single in the eighth
inning of the opener at Pershing Park, then rallied for four runs in the sixth inning
of a 6-4 win in the nightcap.
The Vaqueros (17-13, 7-3 WSC) won for the fifth straight time and improved to 8-2
at home. Hancock fell to 12-15 and 5-6.
SBCC turned a triple play in the third inning of the second game. With the bases
loaded and no outs in a 2-2 game, Moriah Vargas hit a screaming liner to third base.
Bryn Thompson caught the ball, stepped on third for the second out and fired to first
baseman Natalie Orosco to complete a rare triple play.
“That may be the first triple play for one of my teams,” said coach Paula Congleton,
who’s in her 14th season as head coach. “What a smart, heads-up, quick play by Bryn. That was awesome.
It kept us in the game and fired everybody up.”
Caitlin Voss belted a solo homer to left to boost Hancock’s lead to 4-2 in the fifth.
Voss is the Southern Cal leader with 12 homers.
The Vaqueros rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Orosco reached on
a fielder’s choice, Samantha Cabada beat out an infield hit and Mariah Coyazo delivered
an RBI single to right. Cabada eventually tied the game when she scored on a throwing
error.
SBCC took the lead, 5-4, on Bri Portese’s run-scoring groundout to second and got
an insurance run on Kayla Dormer’s pinch-hit RBI single to right.
“We just can’t seem to get rid of that nickname, ‘Comeback Kids,’ “ noted Congleton.
“It really shows the tenacity of our team. We never give up.”
Celeste Acosta pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless, 1-hit relief to boost her record
to 9-4.
In the first game, Portese played catcher for the first time this year because Lauren
Larabell had an illness. Thompson drove in a run in the second and Portese capped
a four-run uprising with a double to left-center that gave SBCC a 5-2 lead.
The Vaqueros extended the margin to 7-3 in the third. Kylie Onstott got her second
hit and scored on a wild pitch. Emilee Bachman was hit by a pitch, went to second
and third on wild pitches and scored on an error.
Hancock tied it at 7 with a four-run sixth inning against starter Alyse Harris and
Acosta. Ashley Spencer drove in the seventh run with a double.
Harris (8-9) returned to the circle in the seventh and pitched 1-2-3 innings in the
seventh and eighth. She gave up five runs on three hits in 7 1/3 innings. She struck
out nine and walked three.
Tessa Underwood held the Vaqueros without a hit from the fourth through the seventh
frames. Kiersty Briner opened the eighth with a bunt single, but was forced out at
second on a grounder by Thompson. Briner was 4-for-5 on the day.
After a groundout for the second out, Crawford hit a short fly behind the first baseman
and Spencer, the second baseman, made a diving try but the ball caromed off her glove,
allowing Thompson to score the winning run.
“I wanted to come through for the team,” said Crawford, a freshman outfielder from
San Marcos High. “I got a little lucky on that hit.”
First Game (8 innings)
Hancock ……. 201 004 00 -- 7 4 6
SBCC .……..… 142 000 01 -- 8 8 1
Leake, Underwood (3) and Voss; Harris, Acosta (6), Harris (7) and Portese. W--Harris
8-9. L--Underwood 2-3.
2B--H: Spencer. SB: Portese.
Second Game
Hancock ……. 011 110 0 -- 4 9 3
SBCC .……..… 200 004 x -- 6 8 4
Underwood and Voss; Harris, Acosta (5) and Larabell. W--Acosta 9-4. L--Underwood 2-4.
2B--H: Spencer, Vargas, Perez. SB: Portese. HR--H: Voss (12), 5th inn., none on.
Records--AHC: 12-15, 5-6; SB: 17-13, 7-3.
Sunday, April 1 -- Bash at the Beach: SBCC vs. Golden West, 11 a.m.; SBCC vs. Santa Monica, 3 p.m.
Final day of Bash at the Beach cancelled
The second day of the 12th annual SBCC Bash at the Beach softball tournament has
been cancelled due to wet and muddy conditions.
There were eight games scheduled for Sunday, including two for SBCC, but the Pershing
Park fields couldn't recover from a steady rain on Saturday afternoon.
"The fields are really wet and soupy and it's too dangerous to play," said coach
Paula Congleton. "This is not an April Fool's joke. It's a beautiful day with the
sun shining but it would have been impossible to get the fields ready."
SBCC beat Fullerton 5-3 on Saturday to improve to 15-13 on the season.
The Vaqueros will host Hancock in a WSC doubleheader on Tuesday at 1 and 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 31 -- Bash at the Beach: SBCC 5, Fullerton 3 SBCC vs. Saddleback, PPD by rain Record: 15-13
Vaqueros top Fullerton 5-3
Second game is rained out in Bash at the Beach
Lauren Larabell stayed hot at the plate and Alyse Harris silenced the Fullerton attack
on Saturday in SBCC’s 5-3 victory on the opening day of the 12th annual Bash at the Beach at Pershing Park.
Eight games were slated for Saturday but the final two, including SBCC’s game against
No. 6-ranked Saddleback, were postponed by rain. Golden West went 2-0 while Santa
Barbara and Saddleback were 1-0.
Larabell, a freshman catcher from Hesperia, was 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs
for the Vaqueros (15-13), who are 6-2 at home this year. She’s 5-6 in her last two
games, raising her average to .415 (34-82).
The Vaqueros struck first, scoring three times in the second. Larabell singled and
scored on a groundout by Mariah Coyazo, Emilee Bachman had an RBI single and Tara
Crawford scored on a throwing error.
The Vaqueros made it 4-0 in the third on a double by Brianna Portese and an RBI groundout
by Natalie Orosco. Fullerton (6-20) opened the fourth with a double and a walk, chasing
SBCC starter Celeste Acosta.
Alyse Harris came on in relief. After her error allowed two runs to score and shaved
the lead to 4-3, she shut down the Hornets on one hit in the last four frames. Harris
struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.
“We got ahead early and that really helped,” said Larabell. “Alyse came in and pitched
great. We were trying to wait as long as we could (against their pitcher Venessa Meza)
and lay off the changeup.”
Bachman had two of the Vaqueros’ eight hits. Acosta ended the first two innings by
starting double plays.
The Vaqueros added an insurance run in the fifth when Larabell walked with two outs
and came around to score on a throwing error.
Coach Paula Congleton said her team was looking forward to playing Saddleback, the
No. 2 team in Southern Cal with a 24-6 record.
“They have 24 wins and they’re battling for the top spot in their conference,” she
noted. “Both of us are hoping to make the playoffs, so this game could make a big
difference.
“We’re going to try to reschedule it in the next couple of weeks.”
The Vaqueros will play two at home on Sunday, taking on Golden West at 11 a.m. and
Santa Monica at 3 p.m. There are eight round-robin games in the Bash at the Beach
on two fields at Pershing, slated for 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Fullerton ……... 000 300 0 -- 3 4 3
SBCC ...…......… 031 010 x -- 5 8 2
Meza and Martinez; Acosta, Harris (4) and Larabell. W--Acosta 8-4. L--Meza.
2B--F: Kaiser. SB: Portese.
Thursday, March 29 -- L.A. Pierce at SBCC, 2:30 p.m. SBCC 10, L.A. Pierce 2 (6 inns) Records: 14-13, 5-3 WSC Gold
Acosta, Larabell spark 10-2 win
Pitcher tosses 2-hitter; catcher drives in 4 runs
SBCC got a powerful boost from its battery on Thursday as the Vaqueros overcame a
slow start to beat L.A. Pierce 10-2 in a six-inning WSC game at Pershing Park.
Pitcher Celeste Acosta came on in relief of Alyse Harris in the top of the first after
the first four batters reached base without a hit. Trailing 1-0, Acosta entered with
the bases loaded and quickly ended the threat with a pop-up and two strikeouts.
Acosta gave up just one run -- a third-inning homer to Candice Lujano -- on two hits.
She struck out a season-high 10 with just one walk.
“I came in, kept my composure and tried to hit my spots,” said Acosta, who threw
11 pitches (all strikes) while striking out the side in the sixth. “My curve was breaking
really well and my riseball was also working.”
Lauren Larabell, a freshman catcher, went 3-4 and drove in four runs with a pair
of two-run singles. The Vaqueros (14-13, 5-3 WSC) erased a 2-1 deficit with six runs
on five hits in the third inning.
Pierce fell to 5-20 overall and 1-8 in conference.
Larabell’s two-run single to right-center scored Kiersty Briner and Bryn Thompson
in the sixth. Kylie Onstott scored the 10th run on a wild pitch with one out to end the game on the eight-run rule.
“Our team did a good job of getting runners on base and I was able to get a few balls
through,” said Larabell, who raised her team-high batting average to .400. “We have
two good pitchers and we’ve been lucky. When one’s not on, the other one gets the
job done.”
Bryn Thompson and Mariah Coyazo each had two hits. Thompson reached base four times
and scored two runs.
“We thought Elyse would be able to dominate but she wasn’t getting the right strikes,”
said coach Paula Congleton. “Pierce just beat Moorpark, so we’re not taking any team
in our conference lightly.
“Celeste pitched great for six innings. We’re like the comeback kids and that’s the
way it’s been all year. We never give up and we always fight back. They scored their
runs early, so it gave us plenty of opportunity to come back.”
Congleton was proud of Larabell, who singled in the second, third and sixth innings.
“Larabell is doing a phenomenal job,” she said. “She’s caught every inning of every
game, she’s our leading hitter and she’s a team leader. We’re really pleased with
how she’s been playing.”
The Vaqueros will host the 12th annual Bash at the Beach this weekend. They’ll play Fullerton (noon ) and Saddleback
(4 p.m.) on Saturday and Golden West (11 a.m.) and Santa Monica (3 p.m.) on Sunday.
(6 innings, run rule)
L.A. Pierce …….... 101 000 -- 2 2 5
SBCC .……….....… 016 003 -- 10 9 3
Abrenica, Sixtos (5) and Becerra; Harris, Acosta (1) and Larabell. W--Acosta 7-4.
L--Abrenica.
HR--LAP: Lujano, 3rd inn., none on.
Sunday, March 25 -- Bakersfield Classic: SBCC vs. Taft, 10 a.m. SBCC 8, Taft 7 Record: 13-13
Vaqueros rally past Taft 8-7
Portese has homer, 2B and 5 RBIs
SBCC rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh on Sunday to beat Taft 8-7
at the Bakersfield Classic.
Freshman outfielder Bri Portese went 3-4 with a homer, a double and five RBIs for
the Vaqueros (13-13), who were playing their sixth game in six days. Bryn Thompson
was 2-3 and scored three times.
Portese belted her fourth home run in the third -- a three-run shot that gave Santa
Barbara a 4-0 lead. After Taft scored four in the seventh to take a 7-5 advantage,
Thompson doubled to open the bottom half of the seventh. Portese and Lauren Larabell
followed with RBI doubles to to tie it at 7-7.
Larabell went to third on a passed ball and scored the game-winner on a wild pitch.
Brianna Gill struck out on the final play and reached first base as Larabell crossed
the plate.
“I don’t think I’ve ever won a game like that before,” said Paula Congleton, who’s
in her 14th season as SBCC’s head coach. “It was drizzling the entire day. We did a great job
of staying focused and coming back to win.”
Alyse Harris pitched the first six innings, holding Taft to three runs on three hits
with eight strikeouts. Celese Acosta (6-4) got the win.
Taft …….….. 000 030 4 -- 7 5 1
SBCC .…...… 013 010 3 -- 8 8 2
Holland and Neilsen; Harris, Acosta (7) and Larabell. W--Acosta 6-4. L--Holland.
2B--T: McKeoyn. SB: Thompson, Portese, Larabell. HR--SB: Portese (4), 3rd inn., two on.
Saturday, March 24 -- Bakersfield Classic: Riverside 9, SBCC 0 (6 inn); Bakersfield 18, SBCC 2 (5 inn) Record: 12-13
Vaqueros drop two at Bakersfield Classic
They get just nine hits on the day
SBCC had a rough day on Saturday at the Bakersfield Classic, losing to Riverside
9-0 and Bakersfield 18-2. The first game was shortened to six innings by the run rule
and the second game was five innings.
“These are two good teams but we’re just not backing up our pitchers,” said coach
Paula Congleton. “We’re struggling a little right now and it may be fatigue.”
The Vaqueros (12-13) have dropped four of five games over the last five days.
Nichole Zink pitched a three-hitter and struck out 11 for Riverside (16-7). Natalie
Barrios and Ingrid Williams hit homers for the Tigers.
Julie Estep tossed a six-hitter in the second game as Bakersfield (17-6) collected
18 hits. Kiersty Briner had an RBI single in the fifth for the Vaqueros and scored
on a passed ball.
Santa Barbara will take on Taft at 10 a.m. Sunday in its last game at the Bakersfield
Tourney.
(6 innings)
Riverside ….... 200 043 -- 9 9 0
SBCC .……...… 000 000 -- 0 3 1
Zink and Williams; Acosta and Larabell. W--Zink. L--Acosta 5-3.
2B--R: Brown, Barrias. SB: Portese. HR--R: Barrios, 1st inn., one on; Williams, 5th inn., none on.
(5 innings)
SBCC ….….….. 000 02 -- 2 6 3
Bakersfield .… 702 9x -- 18 18 0
Acosta, Harris (4), Orosco (4), Acosta (4) and Larabell; Estep and Frankhouser. W--Estep.
L--Acosta 5-4.
2B--SB: Dormer. B: Irvin, Smith 2, Toerner, Frankhouser. HR--B: Toerner, 3rd inn., one on; Best, 4th inn., two on.
Thursday, March 22 -- SBCC at Moorpark, 2:30 p.m. Moorpark 7, SBCC 3 Records: 12-11, 4-3
Moorpark downs Vaqueros 7-3
Thompson goes 2-2 in WSC setback
Moorpark scored six runs in the first two innings on Thursday and went on to beat
visiting SBCC 7-3 in a WSC Gold Division game.
Bryn Thompson was 2-2 with a double and a run for the Vaqueros (12-11, 4-3). Faylan
Lee hit a two-run homer in the first for the Raiders.
SBCC cut the deficit to 6-3 with three runs in the fourth. Lauren Larabell and Thompson
scored on errors and Kiersty Briner came home on a fielder’s choice.
Vaquero starter Alyse Harris went 1 2/3 innings before being replaced by Celeste
Acosta.
“We made a couple of outfield errors when we missed the cutoffs,” said assistant
coach Erin Breck. “Our bats weren’t there (5 hits) and when they were, we couldn’t
string hits together.”
The Vaqueros conclude their six-game road trip this weekend with three games at the
Bakersfield Classic. They’ll take on Riverside and Bakersfield on Saturday.
SBCC ……...….. 000 300 0 -- 3 5 3
Moorpark .…… 330 010 x -- 7 9 2
Harris, Acosta (2) and Larabell; Lewis, Barbato (4) and Lee. W--Lewis. L--Harris 7-9.
2B--SB: Thompson. M: Cartwright, Chatman. 3B--SB: Crawford. HR--M: Lee, 1st inn., one on.
Tuesday, March 20 -- SBCC at Oxnard (DH), 1 & 3 p.m. Oxnard 3-2, SBCC 0-3 Records: 12-10, 4-2
Vaqueros split with Oxnard
Acosta, Harris combine on 3-hitter in 3-2 win
SBCC was held to three hits in a 3-0 loss in the opener of a WSC doubleheader on
Tuesday at Oxnard, then came back to beat the Condors 3-2.
Celeste Acosta and Alyse Harris combined on a 3-hitter in the nightcap for the Vaqueros
(12-10, 4-2 WSC Gold Division). Brianna Portese and Kiersty Briner had RBI doubles
during a three-run third inning that put the visitors up 3-0.
Acosta struck out four and only allowed one hit in 3 2/3 innings. Harris got out
of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth with a strikeout.
Harris got five of her 10 outs on strikeouts.
In the first game, Heather Bacon tossed a three-hitter for Oxnard and fanned seven.
“We couldn’t string anything together in the opener,” said coach Paula Congleton.
“Give Bacon credit, she kept us off-balance. It was nice to see us come back 20 minutes
later and show some tenacity to get a win.”
The Vaqueros travel to Moorpark on Thursday for a 2:30 p.m. game.
First Game
SBCC …….…. 000 000 0 -- 0 3 1
Oxnard .….… 100 002 x -- 3 5 1
Harris and Larabell; Bacon and Mochizuki. W--Bacon. L--Harris 7-8.
Second Game
SBCC …….…. 003 000 0 -- 3 4 0
Oxnard .….… 000 101 0 -- 2 3 0
Acosta, Harris (4) and Larabell; Bacon and Mochizuki. W--Acosta 5-2. L--Bacon.
2B--SB: Portese, Briner.
Thursday, March 15 -- Ventura at SBCC, 2:30 p.m. Ventura 4, SBCC 1 Records: 11-9, 3-1
Ventura tops Vaqueros 4-1
Orosco has two hits in first-place showdown
Teresa Lemos held SBCC to two hits in the first five innings on Thursday and Ventura
went on to beat the Vaqueros 4-1 in a battle for first place at Pershing Park.
Lemos, a sophomore left-hander, tossed a five-hitter and drove in the Pirates first
two runs with a bases-loaded single in the third. Ventura (14-3, 4-0 WSC Gold) stretched
the lead to 4-0 in the fifth on an RBI groundout by Julie Cortez.
Natalie Orosco had two hits, including a double, for the Vaqueros (11-9, 3-1). She
went 2-2 with a walk and took over the team batting lead at .417. SBCC scored in the
sixth when Roxanne Hugo lofted a pinch-hit double to right-center, went to third on
an illegal pitch and came home on a sacrifice fly by Bryn Thompson.
“We saw Lemos at the San Diego City Tournament and jumped on her right away,” said
coach Paula Congleton. “Today, we let too many good strikes go by and got behind.
When she had a little more movement on the ball or threw a pitch that wasn’t great,
we were going after those pitches.
“We hit the ball hard to the outfield but anytime you put the ball in the air against
a good team, it’s going to be an out.”
Alyse Harris, the Vaqueros’ starter, and Celeste Acosta didn’t have great days on
the mound as each walked three batters. Acosta, who pitched to eight hitters in the
fifth and sixth, gave up one run on two hits before Harris returned to the circle
following a leadoff double in the sixth.
“The race for No. 1 (in conference) is between us and Ventura,” Congleton stated.
“Now our backs are against the wall. We have to take two down at their place to sweep
the series.”
The Vaqueros travel to Oxnard for a doubleheader on Tuesday.
Ventura ……. 003 010 0 -- 4 7 0
SBCC .…….… 000 001 0 -- 1 5 3
Lemos and Cortez; Harris, Acosta (5), Harris (6) and Larabell. W--Lemos 11-2. L--Harris
7-7.
2B--V: Garcia, Dickson. SB: Orosco, Hugo.
Tuesday, March 13 -- Cuesta at SBCC (DH), 1 & 3 p.m. SBCC 10-7, Cuesta 0-1 (1st game, 5 innings) Records: 11-8, 3-0
PItching shines in sweep of Cuesta
Acosta throws no-hitter; Harris gets 12 K, grand slam
The pitching was nearly perfect on Tuesday as SBCC gave up just three hits in 12
innings of a WSC sweep over Cuesta at Pershing Park. The scores were 10-0 and 7-1.
Celeste Acosta tossed a no-hitter in the five-inning opener and Alyse Harris threw
a three-hitter with a season-high 12 strikeouts and a grand slam in the nightcap.
The Vaqueros (11-8, 3-0 WSC Gold Division) scored 10 runs in the fourth inning of
the opener and six unearned runs in the third inning of the second game.
Fifteen of those 16 runs came with two outs. The Vaqueros had 17 hits on the day
and didn't commit any errors.
Harris, a sophomore from Denver, Colo., fanned nine of the first 12 batters to start
the second game. She struck out seven straight from the second through the fourth,
including four looking. Harris extended the Vaquero lead to 7-0 by hammering a grand
slam to center field in the third, scoring Roxy Hugo, Kayla Dormer and Brianna Gill.
“I came out with a little more intensity after having the whole first game to warm
up,” said Harris, who gave up a run in the first and nothing else. “My screwball is
my most effective pitch and my riseball was definitely on today. Those were the two
money pitches.
“I hit a straight-up fastball (on the grand slam). It felt so good.”
It was Harris’ first homer and the team’s first slam of the year.
Acosta struck out six and didn’t walk a batter in the first game, which was called
after five innings due to the 8-run rule. She faced the minimum 15 batters. Only one
Cougar reached base -- Danika Gaslan on a two-out error in the second -- and she was
caught stealing by catcher Lauren Larabell.
The Vaqueros scored 10 runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer
from Brianna Portese that made it 5-1 and chased starting pitcher Mandi Miller. They had 14 batters in the inning and scored nine runs with two outs. The Vaqueros
collected six hits, three walks and a hit batter in that inning alone. Natalie Orosco
went 2-2 in the inning with a two-run single.
Shortstop Mariah Coyazo was 2-2 in the game with one RBI.
“It took us a little while to get going, then we lit it on fire in the fourth inning,”
said coach Paula Congleton. “I was really pleased that we didn’t get frustrated and
stayed composed.
“We used all our available players today and it’s always a good day when everyone
gets in the game.”
The Vaqueros will host Ventura on Thursday in a 2:30 p.m. game.
First Game
(5 inn., run rule)
Cuesta ………. 000 00 -- 0 0 1
SBCC .…..….… 000 (10)x -- 10 9 0
Miller, Lenz (4) and Hoversten; Acosta and Larabell. W--Acosta 4-2. L--Miller 0-2.
2B--SB: Thompson, Orosco. HR--SB: Portese (3), 4th inn., two on.
Second Game
Cuesta ………. 100 000 0 -- 1 3 3
SBCC .…..….… 106 000 x -- 7 8 0
Gaslan and Hoversten; Harris and Larabell. W--Harris 6-7. L--Gaslan 2-7.
2B--C: Lockwood, Miller. HR--SB: Harris (1), 3rd inn., three on.
Friday, March 10 -- Long Beach at SBCC, 2:30 p.m. SBCC 4, Long Beach 2 Record: 9-8
Vaqueros rally past Long Beach, 4-2
Portese gets 2 hits; Acosta shines in relief
Brianna Portese went 2-4 with a double and two runs on Friday and SBCC used a three-run
sixth inning to rally past Long Beach 4-2 in a nonconference game at Pershing Park.
Portese doubled to lead off the bottom of the first and scored on Natalie Orosco’s
sacrifice fly. The score stayed 1-0 until the sixth when Long Beach (11-10) took the
lead on Shanise Compton’s homer and a fielder’s choice that scored Melisa Sponholz.
Roxanne Hugo singled to lead off the sixth for the Vaqueros (9-8) and Celeste Acosta
reached on a bunt. Following a strikeout, Portese hit a shot off the third baseman’s
glove to load the bases. Bryn Thompson grounded out to first, bringing in Hugo with the tying run. Acosta
came home on a wild pitch and on the very next pitch, Portese scored on a passed ball.
Portese moved from the 5 or 6 spot in the batting order to leadoff in Thursday’s
12-3 win at Hancock. She had two homers and two doubles in that game.
“It was nerve-wracking at first but I just need to remember that I can do it and
I’m a good player, then I have the confidence to do it,” said Portese, who’s batting
.615 (8-13) in her last three games. “We’re a good comeback team. As soon as we get
a little pressure on us, that’s when we just explode.”
Hugo was 2-3 and scored a run. It was just the third home game in the first 17 for
the Vaqueros.
Alyse Harris went the first five innings on the mound, allowing six hits and striking
out five. After giving up the leadoff homer in the sixth, she was replaced by Acosta
with a runner at first. Acosta (4-2) was sharp, getting out of a two-on, no-out situation
in the sixth. She gave up a one-out single in the seven, then ended the game with
a strikeout and groundout to short.
“We had 17 hits (Thursday in a 12-3 win at Hancock), then only six today,” said coach
Paula Congleton. “We were telling them to make adjustments but they weren’t doing
it. I don’t know how many fly balls we hit but it was a lot.
“Long Beach is a good team and we’re happy to get the win. It shows the solid ability
of our kids and their fortitude to drive forward.”
The Vaqueros host Cuesta in a WSC doubleheader on Tuesday at 1 and 3 p.m.
Long Beach …. 000 002 0 -- 2 8 4
SBCC .……….… 100 003 x -- 4 6 4
Kennedy, Montanez (6) and Sponholz; Harris, Acosta (6) and Larabell. W--Acosta 3-2.
L--Kennedy.
2B--SB: Portese. HR--LB: Compton, 6th inn., none on.
Thursday, March 8 -- SBCC at Hancock, 2:30 p.m. SBCC 12, Hancock 3 (6 innings) Records: 8-8, 1-0
Portese powers Vaqueros in 12-3 win
Leadoff hitter belts 2 HRs, 2 doubles in WSC opener
Brianna Portese moved to the leadoff position and went wild on Thursday, belting two
homers and two doubles in SBCC’s 12-3 win at Hancock. The WSC Gold Division opener
was shortened to six innings by the 8-run rule.
The freshman outfielder from Las Vegas was 4-for-5 with two RBIs and four runs. She’s
6-9 with six RBIs in her last two games.
The Vaqueros (8-8, 1-0), the defending conference champion, racked up season highs
for runs (12) and hits (17).
Tara Crawford and winning pitcher Alyse Harris went 2-3 with Crawford knocking in
four runs and Harris two. Lauren Larabell was also 2-3 with two runs scored.
Harris tossed a four-hitter with eight strikeouts and one walk.
Portese moved up to the leadoff spot to replace the injured Samantha Cabada. She
hit solo homers in the second and fifth innings as SBCC built a 10-0 lead.
“You talk about stepping up … Bri did an amazing job as the leadoff hitter,” said
coach Paula Congleton. “One of her homers went 215 feet and the other one about 230,
which is a long way in softball. This is a great way to start conference.”
The Vaqueros will play their third game in four days on Friday when they host Long
Beach at 2:30 p.m. in a nonconference game.
(6 inn., run rule)
SBCC .…….… 311 322 -- 12 17 2
Hancock …… 000 030 -- 3 4 0
Harris and Larabell; Spencer and Voss. W--Harris 5-6. L--Spencer.
2B--SB: Portese 2, Larabell, Crawford. HR--SB: Portese (1), 2nd inn., none on; Portese (2), 5th inn., none on.
Tuesday, March 6 -- SBCC at Bakersfield, 4 p.m. Bakersfield 10, SBCC 5 Record: 7-8
Errors hurt Vaqueros in 10-5 loss
Portese drives in four runs; Coyazo scores three
Bri Portese went 2-4 with four RBIs on Tuesday but SBCC couldn’t overcome seven errors
in a 10-5 nonconference loss at Bakersfield.
Mariah Coyazo was 2-3 with three runs for the Vaqueros (7-8), who were playing their
sixth game in five days. They won the Golden West Invitational last weekend.
Kiersty Briner had a hit, two walks and scored twice for Santa Barbara.
Bakersfield, ranked No. 7 in Southern Cal, improved to 14-4. SBCC went ahead 2-0
in the third but the Renegades came back with three in the bottom half, thanks to
three errors. The Vaqueros tied it at 3-3 in the fourth but Bakersfield pulled away
with five runs in their next two at-bats.
SBCC opens defense of its WSC Gold Division title on Thursday with a 2:30 p.m. game
at Hancock.
SBCC .…….……. 002 102 0 -- 5 9 7
Bakersfield …… 003 232 x -- 10 11 2
Acosta, Harris (4), Acosta (4) and Larabell; Simpson and Frankhouser. W--Simpson.
L--Acosta 2-2.
2B--SB: Coyazo, Portese. HR--B: Irvin, 5th inn., none on.
Sunday, March 4 -- Golden West Invitational: Semifinal -- SBCC 6, Oxnard 3. Championship -- SBCC 8, Southwestern 4 Record: 7-7
Vaqueros claim Golden West title
Crawford is MVP; Larabell makes all-tourney
SBCC rallied from early deficits twice on Sunday to claim the 35th Golden West Invitational in Huntington Beach.
The Vaqueros (7-7) doubled up both opponents, beating WSC rival Moorpark 6-3 in the
morning and Southwestern 8-4 in the championship. Moorpark led 3-0 after three innings
and Southwestern, of Chula Vista, went ahead 4-0 after 2½ innings.
Tara Crawford, a freshman outfielder from San Marcos High, was named MVP. She batted
.636 (7-11) with three RBIs and two doubles for the Vaqueros, who went 4-1 in the
12-team, three-day tourney.
Catcher Lauren Larabell earned all-tourney honors after hitting .533 (8-15) with
five runs and three stolen bases.
Celeste Acosta and Alyse Harris combined on a four-hitter in the first game with
Harris (4-6) throwing the last six innings. Natalie Orosco was 2-4 and her two-run
single to right-center in the fifth put the Vaqueros ahead to stay, 5-3. Larabell
had a hit and scored two runs.
Harris and Acosta held Southwestern to seven hits in the title game with Acosta (3-1)
getting the win. Third baseman Bryn Thompson was 3-3 with three RBIs. Her two-run
double in the fourth gave SBCC its first lead at 5-4.
Kiersty Briner was 1-1 with an RBI and two runs.
Orosco, Crawford and Mariah Coyazo also doubled in the second game. Harris pitched
the first inning, then relieved Acosta in the 7th with two runners on and one out. Coyazo ended the game by snagging a line drive at
shortstop and doubling up the runner at first.
“It was very nice to see our bats show up this weekend,” said assistant coach Erin
Breck. “We were pumped up in both games (on Sunday) and fought from behind each time.
“This is a great confidence boost for us.”
SBCC .……..…. 000 321 0 -- 6 7 2
Moorpark …… 300 000 0 -- 3 4 1
Acosta, Harris (2) and Larabell; Lewis, Barbato (4), Whiteside (7) and Silveira.
W--Harris 4-6. L--Barbato.
2B--SB: Orosco. M: Lee.
Championship
Southwestern ….. 031 000 0 -- 4 7 0
SBCC ……….……. 002 312 0 -- 8 9 1
Beasley and Soto; Harris, Acosta (2), Harris (7) and Larabell. W--Acosta (3-1). L--Beasley.
2B--S: Allrisew. SB: Thompson, Orosco, Crawford, Coyazo.
Saturday, March 3 -- Golden West Invitational: Playoffs, quarterfinal -- SBCC 7, Oxnard 2 Record: 5-7
Vaqueros reach semifinals of GW Invite
Harris tosses 6-hitter in 7-2 win over Oxnard
Alyse Harris threw a six-hitter and Tara Crawford was 3-3 with two RBIs on Saturday,
leading SBCC past WSC rival Oxnard 7-2 in the quarterfinals of the Golden West Invitational
at Huntington Beach.
The 12-team tourney, in its 35th year, is the oldest community college softball event in America.
Santa Barbara (5-7) will meet another WSC Gold team, Moorpark, in the semifinals
on Sunday at 10 a.m. The final is slated for noon.
Harris, a freshman from Denver, Colo., gave up two runs on six hits. She struck out
seven and didn’t walk a batter.
Lauren Larabell was 2-4 with two stolen bases for the Vaqueros. Natalie Orosco had
a two-run single in the third. Mariah Coyazo and Crawford delivered RBI singles in
the fifth, boosting the lead to 5-0.
The Vaqueros had 11 hits with seven batters getting at least one.
SBCC .….…. 003 021 1 -- 7 11 2
Oxnard …… 000 020 0 -- 2 6 3
Harris and Larabell; Bacon and Mochizuki. W--Harris 3-6. L--Bacon.
2B--O: Shaw.
Friday, March 2 -- Golden West Invitational (12 teams): SBCC 6, Orange Coast 5; Chaffey 3, SBCC 0 Record: 4-7
Vaqueros split at Golden West Invitational
Larabell goes 3-4 in win; Acosta tosses 3-hitter
SBCC split a pair of games at the Golden West Invitational on Friday in Huntington
Beach, edging Orange Coast 6-5 and falling to Chaffey 3-0.
In the first game, catcher Lauren Larabell went 3-4 with a double, one RBI and two
runs. Tara Crawford was 2-2 with a double and an RBI and Brianna Portese went 2-3
and knocked in a run.
Celese Acosta (2-1) got the win, allowing just three hits and striking out five.
The Vaqueros (4-7) built a 6-1 lead in the fourth, then survived a grand slam by Ashley
Arlington in the sixth.
Chaffey shut out SBCC on three hits and the Vaqueros committed three errors.
Santa Barbara will take on Oxnard in a playoff game on Saturday at 2 p.m.
SBCC .….……….. 113 100 0 -- 6 9 3
Orange Coast …. 100 004 0 -- 5 3 1
Acosta and Larabell; Canty and Skitts. W--Acosta 2-1. L--Canty.
2B--SB: Larabell, Crawford. HR--OC: Arlington, 6th inn., three on.
Chaffey .……….. 100 100 1 -- 3 6 0
SBCC ………..… 000 000 0 -- 0 3 3
Boone and Burckel; Harris and Larabell. W--Boone. L--Harris 2-6.
HR--C: Burckel, 7th inn., none on.
Tuesday, Feb. 28 -- L.A. Valley at SBCC, 2:30 p.m. Valley 9, SBCC 1 (5 inn) Record: 3-6
Valley too much for Vaqueros
SBCC held to four hits in 9-1 setback
L.A. Valley scored nine times in the first three innings on Tuesday and went on to
post a 9-1 victory over SBCC at Pershing Park. The nonconference game was shortened
to five innings by the 8-run rule.
Mariah Ruz tossed a four-hitter for the Monarchs (6-7), striking out seven and walking
three. Alyse Harris pitched the first 2 2/3 innings for the Vaqueros (3-6) and surrendered
nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits.
SBCC was playing its first game in 10 days.
“Alyse warmed up really well, that’s why we went with her,” said coach Paula Congleton.
“They were crowding the plate a little and her pitches weren’t breaking like they
needed to break. They’re an aggressive team.”
The Monarchs had 13 hits, including five doubles. Their top two batters went 6-6
with three doubles and three runs. Vivien Topete was 4-4 with three RBIs.
“We were sitting idle in the outfield, our infielders were back on their heels,”
noted Congleton. “Overall, we were really flat today.”
The Vaqueros scored in the second on an RBI single by leadoff hitter Samantha Cabada
that cut the deficit to 5-1. She was 2-2 and reached base three times.
SBCC’s Celeste Acosta came on with two outs in the third and didn’t give up a run
in the final 2 1/3 frames. She allowed four hits and struck out three.
(5 inn., run rule)
L.A. Valley .…... 414 00 -- 9 13 0
SBCC ……...…... 010 00 -- 1 4 3
Ruz and Zapata; Harris and Larabell. W--Ruz 5-5. L--Harris 2-5.
2B--LAV: Topete, Ortega, Riojas, Rodriguez 2.
Saturday, Feb. 18 -- San Diego City Invitational: Championship playoffs -- Ventura 3, SBCC 2 Record: 3-5
Vaqueros fall to Ventura 3-2
Harris throws 4-hitter; SBCC takes fifth in San Diego
Alyse Harris threw a four-hitter on Saturday but Ventura still managed to pull out
a 3-2 win in the championship bracket of the San Diego City Invitational. The Vaqueros
(3-5) took fifth in the 15-team tourney.
Freshman first baseman Natalie Orosco went 2-3 with an RBI single in her return to
the San Diego area.
The Vaqueros took a 2-0 lead in the second. Lauren Larabell scored on a triple by
Brianna Portese and Portese touched home on a single by Orosco. Teresa Lemos pitched
a six-hitter for Ventura and won the game with an RBI single to right-center in the
fifth inning.
Harris (2-4) struck out five and walked one.
The Vaqueros return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 28 when they host L.A. Valley at 2:30
p.m.
Ventura .….. 001 020 0 -- 3 4 0
SBCC ……... 020 000 0 -- 2 6 2
Lemos and Browning; Harris and Larabell. W--Lemos. L--Harris 2-4.
3B--SB: Portese.
Friday, Feb. 17 -- San Diego City Invitational: SBCC 8, San Diego City 2; SBCC 5, Napa Valley 2 Record: 3-4
Pitching fuels two victories
Harris, Acosta sparkle at San Diego Tourney
Alyse Harris and Celeste Acosta turned in a pair of pitching gems on Friday, leading
the SBCC two wins at the San Diego City Invitational. The Vaqueros (3-4) beat San
Diego City 8-2 and Napa Valley 5-2 in a game shortened to six innings by the time
limit.
Harris tossed a three-hitter with five strikeouts and one walk in the morning game.
Samantha Cabada went 2-3 with three RBIs and two runs while Acosta and Lauren Larabell
were both 2-3 with an RBI.
The Vaqueros broke open a 2-2 game with three runs in the fifth and three more in
the sixth.
Acosta limited Napa Valley to one earned run on five hits in SBCC‘s third straight
win. She struck out seven and walked one. Larabell got things going with a two-run
single in the first inning. Seven of the nine Vaqueros got hits.
“We looked a lot more solid in every phase,“ said coach Paula Congleton. “We’re starting
to find our groove as we play more games.“
There are 15 teams in the tourney and the Vaqueros were seeded No. 2 for the 8-team
championship playoffs. They’ll take on WSC rival Ventura on Saturday at 11 a.m.
First Game
San Diego City .…. 200 000 0 -- 2 3 2
SBCC …….….…….. 200 033 x -- 8 9 2
Nicolet and Kallston; Harris and Larabell. W--Harris 2-3. L--Nicolet.
3B--SB: Portese.
Second Game
(6 inn., time limit)
Napa Valley .....…. 000 011 -- 2 5 1
SBCC …….……..... 220 01x -- 5 8 1
Zaldez and Taone; Acosta and Larabell. W--Acosta 1-1. L--Zaldez.
Tuesday, Feb. 14 -- L.A. Mission at SBCC, 2:30 p.m. SBCC 7, Mission 3 Record: 1-4
Vaqueros take home opener, 7-3
Harris tosses 5-hitter; Hugo has inside-the-park HR
Tuesday’s win was extra sweet for the SBCC softball team. The Vaqueros topped L.A.
Mission 7-3 for their first victory in their home debut. And they did it on Valentine’s
Day.
Alyse Harris, a freshman from Denver, Colo., pitched a five-hitter and got the final
batter to look at strike three with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh. She
gave up three runs (one earned) with six strikeouts and five walks.
Lauren Larabell went 3-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored for the Vaqueros (1-4).
She and Harris delivered back-to-back run-scoring doubles to right-center in the first
inning to give SBCC a 2-1 lead that it never relinquished. It was the seventh straight
home win, dating back to last year, and the 17th in the last 19 at Pershing Park.
Roxanne Hugo, a freshman from Carpinteria High, drilled a two-run inside-the-park
homer to right field as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning, stretching the lead to
7-2. She drove in Larabell, who opened the frame with a single.
“We came together as a team, we were pumped the whole game and we kept each other
up,” said Larabell, a freshman catcher from Hesperia. “There was a little drama in
the seventh but we pulled through.”
Leadoff hitter Samantha Cabada was 2-3. She reached base in her first three appearances
and scored twice. The Vaqueros had 11 hits and won in spite of four errors.
“We’re excited to win our home opener,” said coach Paula Congleton. “Valentine’s
Day also makes it a nice occasion. It’s good for our kids after starting 0-4 on the
road.
“Lauren had a phenomenal day and Sammy did great in the leadoff spot. Our consistency
really helped us today.”
The Vaqueros will play in the San Diego City Invitational this weekend, opening on
Friday against San Diego City at 10 a.m. and Napa Valley at noon.
L.A. Mission .…... 100 100 1 -- 3 5 1
SBCC …….…...…. 202 120 x -- 7 11 4
Robertson and Wright; Harris and Larabell. W--Harris 1-3. L--Robertson 2-2.
2B--LAM: Wright. SB: Larabell, Harris. HR--SB: Hugo (1), 5th inn., one on.
Saturday, Feb. 11 -- Cypress Tourney: #1 Cypress 8, SBCC 1; Canyons 8, SBCC 0 (5 inns, run rule) Record: 0-4
First inning costs Vaqueros in two losses
No. 1 Cypress prevails 8-1
The first inning was unkind to SBCC on Saturday as the Vaqueros suffered two losses
at the Cypress Tournament. They lost to No. 1-ranked and defending state champ Cypress
8-1 and then fell to Canyons 8-0 in a game shortened to five innings by the run rule.
Santa Barbara (0-4) struck first in the opener as Samantha Cabada led off with a
triple and scored on Bryn Thompson’s single. Cypress answered with five runs in the
first and the Vaqueros didn’t score again in 10 innings over two games.
“We scored an early run and I think my players thought that might be enough,” said
coach Paula Congleton. “Then we only had four hits the rest of the way with 12 fly-ball
outs.”
Canyons tallied seven runs in the top of the first and rapped out 12 hits for the
game. SBCC had six hits in each game but four errors in the opener led to five unearned
runs.
Thompson went 2-for-3 in the second game.
SBCC ……..…. 100 000 0 -- 1 6 4
Cypress …..… 501 002 x -- 8 10 1
Harris and Larabell; Hernandez and Rekhner. W--Hernandez. L--Harris 0-3.
3B--SB: Cabada. C: Rekhner.
(5 innings, run rule)
Canyons …… 701 00 -- 8 12 0
SBCC ……..…. 000 00 -- 0 6 2
Lockhart and Drocge; Acosta and Larabell. W--Lockhart. L--Acosta 0-1.
2B--C: Herrera 2.
Friday, Feb. 3 -- Mt. SAC Tourney: SBCC vs. Glendale, 4:30 p.m.; SBCC vs. Mt. SAC, 7 p.m. Glendale 11, SBCC 10; Mt. SAC 10, SBCC 2 Record: 0-2
Vaqueros drop two at at Mt. SAC tourney
Glendale edges SBCC 11-10 in opener
SBCC dropped a wild 11-10 game to Glendale in its season opener on Saturday at the
Mt. SAC Tournament in Walnut. In the night game, the Vaqueros led Mt. San Antonio
2-0 before the Mounties rallied for a 10-2 victory.
Santa Barbara outhit Glendale 9-5 in the opener but committed five errors and left
10 runners on base. SBCC trailed 7-1 after three innings, then grabbed a 9-7 lead
in the top of the fifth.
“We only have one returning player (Mariah Coyazo) and this team has great potential,”
said coach Paula Congleton. “Alyse Harris pitched well and Lauren Larabell was great
behind the plate.”
Brianna Portese went 3-4 with five RBIs in the first game and Bryn Thompson went
2-4. The Vaqueros scored five in the fourth with Emilee Bachman and Portese delivering
two-run singles. They added three more in the fifth to go ahead 9-7.
Three Mt. SAC pitchers held SBCC to three hits. The Vaqueros gave up a pair of homers
in each contest.
First Game
SBCC ……..…. 010 530 1 -- 10 9 5
Glendale …… 304 022 x -- 11 5 2
Acosta, Harris (4) and Larabell; Morin and Kaser. W--Morin. L--Harris 0-1.
2B--SB: Acosta, Thompson. G: Nguyen. HR--G: Nguyen, 1st inn., two on; Kaser, 3rd inn., none on.
Second Game
SBCC ……...... 002 000 0 -- 2 3 4
Mt. SAC ….… 003 124 x -- 10 11 1
Harris and Larabell; Sanchez, Foster (4), Hernandez (7) and Gutierrez. W--Sanchez.
L--Harris 0-2.
HR--MS: Mazza, 5th inn., one on; Arenz, 6th inn., none on.
