Pierce Ends 3-Game Skid With 7-3 Win Over Valley

On the verge of a disappearing act in the Western State Conference title race, the Pierce College baseball team re-emerged Saturday with a crucial 7-3 win over visiting College of the Canyons.

Loser of three in a row and four of its past five entering the game, Pierce moved into sole possession of first place in the WSC standings with a 14-4 record. Ventura, which began the day tied with the Brahmas, lost to Cuesta, 6-4, and fell to 13-5.

“When you’re struggling you’ve just got to pull together,” said Pierce center fielder Erik Martinez, who spearheaded the attack by going four for four with a triple, double and three runs. “We were underachieving. (But) we showed so much heart today.”

After a 1 1/2-week stretch of nonconference action, Pierce will play at Glendale on April 23 before concluding the WSC season April 25 at home in a showdown with Ventura.

“Everything is in our hands and everything is in Ventura’s hands,” Pierce Coach Bob Lofrano said. “What more could you ask for.”

Against a Canyons team that also was trying to snap a three-game losing streak, Pierce (22-6-1 overall) received several clutch performances.

Pitcher Eric Raba (8-0), a sophomore from Camarillo High, overcame a rocky start and finished with a six-hitter. He allowed just three hits over the final seven innings.

“He’s stopped a couple of losing streaks for us,” Lofrano said of Raba, who struck out three and walked four. “The guys have a lot of confidence in him.”

Pierce showed confidence at the plate, knocking around three Canyons pitchers for 12 hits--six for extra bases.

It started in the first when leadoff batter Martinez was hit by Cougar starter R.J. Simone (4-3) and Joey Arnold followed with his fourth homer.

The Brahmas overcame solo home runs by Mike Kerber and Jon Strauss in the second to build a 4-2 lead in the third and a 7-3 advantage after seven innings.

Pierce first baseman Robby Welles went three for three with two runs batted in and teammate Jason Cohen added two hits, two runs and an RBI. Arnold had three RBIs.

Strauss had two hits and two RBIs for Canyons (15-7, 10-9), which entered the game fourth in the WSC standings.

Simone, who beat Pierce, 9-2, March 17 at Canyons, was working on three days’ rest and did not appear to have the same bite on his curve.

Pierce sophomore Brian Smith, who had missed six games because of a sprained ankle, returned to action and went hitless in three at-bats (one walk). He entered the game with a WSC-leading 22 RBIs.