Baker, Gonzalez Help Bulldogs Blank Oxnard 1-0, Enter Tie for First

(Santa Maria, CA) Felipe Gonzalez drove in the only run of the game in the first inning, while Marc Baker and two relievers combined on a four-hit shutout during Allan Hancock College baseball's 1-0 win in a Western State Conference showdown with first place Oxnard on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs, who are ranked No.5 in Southern California, handed No.2 Oxnard its first conference loss of the season. Hancock improved to 4-1 in conference and 14-4-1 overall. Oxnard dropped to 4-1 in conference and 14-3 on the season.

Baker, a sophomore right-hander, threw 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball. He struck out four, walked four and allowed three hits. Lefty Zack Skipper threw 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief with one strikeout. John Drury earned the save. The St. Joseph High School graduate struck out three in two shutout innings of relief.

Hancock scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the first. Jacob Witkowski led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by catcher Ryan Welker. Gonzalez, a Santa Ynez High School graduate, delivered a double to score Witkowski from second base.

Gonzalez, Angel Guillen, Evan Aguilar and Angel Gonzalez each had one hit for Hancock.

The Bulldogs are in a three-way tie for first with Oxnard and No.3 Santa Barbara. The Vaqueros defeated Cuesta 7-4 on Thursday. Hancock plays at Oxnard on Saturday at 1 p.m.