Allan Hancock walks off Sequoias in extras; Stevens collects 500th career win

3C2A Baseball: Scoreboard l Standings

SANTA MARIA – In a thrilling extra-inning battle, the Allan Hancock College baseball team rallied in the bottom of the 10th to secure a dramatic 10-9 walk-off victory over College of the Sequoias at home on Tuesday afternoon. The victory also marked the 500th career victory for head coach Chris Stevens.

Sequoias (5-3) struck first, scoring twice in the first inning and adding two more in the third to take an early 4-1 lead. The Bulldogs (5-3) kept pace, scoring in four of the first six innings. They responded with two runs in the third, then pulled within 5-4 by the fifth. However, the momentum swung in the sixth when AHC erupted for a five-run inning, highlighted by clutch hitting with runners in scoring position.

Despite trailing 9-5 after the sixth, the Giants refused to go quietly as they chipped away with two runs in the seventh and added two more in the eighth, bringing the game to a 9-9 draw. After a scoreless ninth, Allan Hancock came to bat in the bottom of the 10th with runners in scoring position. Josue Garcia recorded the walk-off single after a shallow shot to the grass that sealed the victory. 

On the mound, both teams cycled through multiple arms. The pitching staff for the Giants combined for 11 strikeouts but surrendered 14 hits and 10 runs as their bullpen struggled to contain Hancock's offense late in the game. AHC's pitching staff faced challenges as well but managed to shut down the visitors in the final two innings, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

Cesar Garcia and Colin Johnston both closed the day with an efficient 3-for-5 showing at the plate. C. Garcia tallied five RBIs, with three of those coming after a massive triple to rice center in the sixth. Walk-off hero J. Garcia notched three RBIs while joining Braden Oliver and Owen Bolich with two hits apiece. 

Gage Mattis earned the start and struck out five batters but was relieved early after surrendering four earned runs on seven hits. Austin Moccardini, Brady Birdson, and Estevan Fonseca each stepped on the mound before Jaiden Turner made his closing appearance. The sophomore from Montana secured his second win of the season after keeping the Giants off of the board in the final 2.2 frames.

The Bulldogs are set to return to action on Thursday, February 13th, in Bakersfield. 

(Shelby Scott, Allan Hancock College Athletics)