Harrison Smith hit a grand slam and five Bakersfield College pitchers combined to allow just three hits as the Renegades improved to 2-0 this season with a 12-0 thumping of Barstow College at Gerry Collis Field on Friday night.
After Brock Hallum's two-run triple in the third inning extended BC's lead to 3-0, the Rengades broke the game open in the fourth, scoring six runs.
The highlight of the scoring binge was Smith's two-out, bases loaded, towering fly ball over the left field fence that put the Vikings down for the count.
BC starting pitcher Monty Stevens struggled with his command but continually managed to work his way out of trouble and earned the win with solid fiving innings of work in which he allowed three hits and three walks. He also nailed one batter with an errant pitch and had three strikeouts.
"Mechanically he broke down a little," BC coach Tim Painton said. "But it's something we'll be able to fix. He had good stuff. He just didn't have command of the (strike) zone and he usually does."
Cain Roberts, Jason Potter, David Carter, and Omar Gamboa each pitched one inning of relief for BC.
The quartet retired 12 of 13 batters they faced over the final four innings.
Barstow starting pitcher Austin Nazabal went just 3 2/3 innings and took the loss. He was extremely wild, issuing eight walks while uncorking four wild pitches.
Overall Viking pitchers handed out 12 free passes (11 walks and one hit by pitch) to first base.
The Renegades offensive attack complicated matters for Barstow's pitchers, drilling 10 hits.
Several BC players had big nights at the dish.
Luis Martinez had a two-run single and a pair of walks. Hanz Harker went 3 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored. Hallum finished 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored.
"Offensively it took a little while for us to get going," Painton said. "Their pitcher just didn't have real good command of the (strike) zone. He threw pretty hard. When there are fastballs flying at your head it's very difficult to get in a rhythm offensively as a hitter. I felt like Harrison Smith's grand slam gave us some separation and we were able to get guys off the bench and into the game."
The Renegades defense also shined in the blowout, making several sparkling plays to turn would-be hits into outs.
"All in all it was a very positive night," Painton said. "…Yesterday was a long day. We were out here all day working on the field and getting ready for another game. To bounce back today and be in the ballpark waiting for a team to get here. We were a little bit out of rhythm but I'm proud of our guys. They've showed up and competed well for two games."