Condors Clinch Season Series Over Rival Moorpark on Sophomore Day Thriller
OXNARD, Calif. — Sophomore Day at Oxnard College delivered the kind of drama Condor fans will remember.
OXNARD, Calif. — Sophomore Day at Oxnard College delivered the kind of drama Condor fans will remember.
With the tying run charging home in the top of the ninth, William Dalton fired a strike from left field to catcher Robert Perez, who applied the tag at the plate to preserve a 6-5 victory over cross-county rival Moorpark on Friday afternoon and secure the season series for the Condors.
The win capped an emotional Sophomore Day celebration and gave Oxnard bragging rights over its rival after taking the season series from the Raiders.
Oxnard (6 runs, 9 hits) erased an early 2-0 deficit with a three-run fourth inning sparked by RBI contributions from Bryce Weege, Luis Cervantes, and Chris Margarella. The Condors added insurance in the sixth and seventh innings, including a key RBI single from Brayden Ferguson and a sacrifice RBI from Perez.
Moorpark mounted late pressure, tying the game in the seventh before Oxnard answered immediately with two runs in the bottom half to regain control.
The Raiders threatened again in the ninth, cutting the lead to one and putting the tying run in motion before Dalton and Perez combined for the game-ending defensive gem at the plate.
Bryce Weege led the Condors offensively, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.
Kekai Adams added two hits and scored twice, while Chris Margarella contributed two hits and an RBI.
Damian Cabrera crossed the plate twice in the win.
On the mound, Kaeden Pilanca delivered a strong start, working seven innings and allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out five. Chasten Rice earned the save after closing out the final two innings—including the dramatic final out.
The victory was a fitting finish to Sophomore Day for Oxnard, who honored its second-year players before the game and rewarded the home crowd with a rivalry win in front of a spirited crowd in the Nest.