Santa Ana, Ca. The 2023 SBCC baseball season came to a close at Santa Ana College in the Super Regionals as the Vaqueros dropped back-to-back games on the same day to be eliminated from the CCCAA playoffs. In game one versus the 4th Place team from the Orange Empire Conference, Cypress College, the Vaqueros got off to a good start with a leadoff double by sophomore Daniel Hirose, who was moved over by a sacrifice bunt, and brought home on a groundout to second base by freshman Presley Kosciusko, giving the Vaqs a quick 1-0 lead. However, Cypress quickly answered in the bottom half, scoring two runs on a 2-out homer by sophomore Aaron Perez.
The top of the second saw SBCC strike back with classic Vaquero "small ball." A single by freshman Patrick Walsh, a walk by sophomore Carson Cahoy, and subsequent steals by the aforementioned set up an infield out scoring Walsh and tying the score 2-2. Unfortunately for the Vaqs, that would be the extent of their scoring for the game. "We had some good opportunities to put some runs on the board," said Head Coach Jeff Walker. "Especially in the 5th, we had runners in scoring position with no outs, but we just couldn't come through, which was a little shocking because we've been so good in that area all year." Indeed, the timely hitting that the Vaqueros thrived on all year weas absent in that inning as a strikeout, ground out and flyout ensued after SBCC had runners on 2nd and 3rd. In the bottom half, Cypress would score their 3rd, and then follow that up in the bottom of the 7th by tacking on another 4 runs and ultimately winning 7-2. "The OEC is a tough conference as you can see their 4th place team is really solid. But we have another chance here coming up, and hopefully we can extend our season against Santa Ana," added Walker.
Game 2 saw the Vaqueros face off against Santa Ana College, the 3rd place team from the Orange Empire Conference. Things did not get off to a great start for the Vaqueros, as the Dons plated 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st. The Vaqs would answer with a run of their own in the top of the 2nd on a solo home run by Cahoy. Yet again, the Dons delivered a big inning in the bottom half, scoring another 4 runs with three run-scoring singles. Staked to a 9-1 lead, Santa Ana would not look back even as SBCC made some noise in the 4th and 5th innings scoring four and five runs, respectively. "Every time we scored, it seemed like they answered," said Head Coach Jeff Walker. "After we scored four in the 4th, they answered with 3 more. We just couldn't seem to get over the hump today." The scrappy Vaqs had cut the lead to 12-8 through 5, but the Dons were able to put the game away in the bottom of the 8th with a 2-run triple and a 2-run home run completing the scoring and a 16-8 win.
SBCC completed a great 2023 campaign with an overall record of 29-16, including a 17-7 WSC record and 1st place finish. The Vaqueros had six all-WSC selections, three WSC honorable mentions, Golden Glove winner Daniel Ghiorso, pitcher of the year Aiden Garza and Coach of the year Jeff Walker. "I am really proud of this team and all of the things they had to overcome this season," said Walker. "We have a great group of freshmen who will continue to help us compete and win, and we feel we have some solid players already committed to us for next year. I feel really good about the future!"
The CCCAA Playoffs continue May 19-21 as Santa Ana College takes on Fullerton College in the SoCal Regional Finals. The winner will represent one of the two teams from the South in the State Championship May 25-29 at host Folsom Lake College in Folsom, California.
