TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Neither Golden West College nor Bakersfield College showcased much offense Saturday afternoon at Gerry Collis Field.

The Rustlers managed to manufacture just enough runs to hand the Renegades their first loss of the year, 3-2.

"Neither team had a lot of chances," said BC coach Tim Painton, after the Renegades fell to 4-1. "It was a well-pitched, well-played game."

BC scored twice in the fourth after converting bunt singles by Jordan Turner and Benito Machado into runs.

Machado pushed a bunt toward second baseman Daniel DeWolf to keep the inning alive and Jake Verdugo grounded a singled to center to tie the game 1-1.

Brent Peterson singled to short right field, and Machado was waved in from second base.

Right fielder John Sever's throw pulled catcher Chase Harrison up the third base line, and Machado collided with him as the ball got away. Machado, from his knees, crawled across the plate for a 2-1 BC lead.

Golden Valley head coach Bert Villarreal argued that Machado should have been called out for making contact with Harrison.

"There's a rule in place you're not allowed to hit the catcher," Villarreal said. "The umpire said the throw pulled him up the line."

It was not a flagrant collision.

"It's automatic ejection if that happens," Painton said. "The throw was up the line and he (Machado) had no place to go. It was unavoidable contact."

The play got the Golden West bench riled up, and the Rustlers were vocal for the next couple of innings before settling down.

"It woke us up," Villarreal said. "Then it settled down. That's the way those things happen."

Golden West received leadoff walks in the sixth and seventh innings, and both times those runners scored. The seventh inning run proved to be the game-winner.

In the sixth, Bobby Webb walked, stole second, took third on a wild pitch and scored on Willie Law's slow roller to first baseman Blayne Ontiveros, who hesitated just long enough to prevent a play at the plate.

Blake Cooper walked to lead off the seventh. Pinch runner Sean Whiteman was sacrificed to second and scored on Donald Sneed's two-out single to left.

Brad Lindsley (1-1) took the loss, allowing only six hits and the two walks in seven innings.

"He had command of his breaking ball and change-up," Painton said. "A 3-2 baseball game at this level is rare."

Cameron Ochaoa, the second Golden West pitcher, allowed only two singles in five innings to get the win. Those were the only two baserunners he allowed.

Notes: BC has added a home game to its schedule. The 'Gades will play Merced at Gerry Collis Field on Wednesday. Painton said the game time will be either 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.

Taft 8, Barstow 0

TAFT -- Allan Sanchez pitched a two-hitter -- allowing a pair of infield singles -- to lead the Coaugars.

Sanchez (1-1) struck out seven and didn't walk a batter. The sophomore right-hander from Puerto Rico has 16 strikeouts and no walks in 15 innings this season, with a 0.60 ERA.

Chase Skinner went 3-for-4 with three runs scored for Taft (2-4). Skinner stole home during the fourth inning on an unsuccessful squeeze attempt.

The Cougars will face Lassen College at 2 p.m. Friday at Monterey Peninsula College.