Coming off the most successful season in the history of the Pierce College Baseball program, the 2012 Raiders picked up where last year’s squad left off. The Raiders opened West Division play with a series sweep of Clark College. The Raiders finally found their offense, following a less than stellar pre-season, which saw them hit @ .250 as a team for the month of March. The bats came alive in the home opener against the Penguins, knocking out a season high 16 hits, and coasting to a 19-4 victory. DJ Gee led the assault with 3 hits, including 2 HR’s, while driving in a team-high 4 runs. Brian Corliss and Devin Kaaiwela also had 3 hits for Pierce. Des Santos and Josh Potter each had 2 hits; Potter slapped a double and a triple, while Santos swiped 2 stolen bases. Starter Ryan Schmitten picked up the win, going 6 full innings, giving up 3 runs on just 3 hits. He also collected 7 strikeouts.
Game two of the twinbill was a pitcher’s duel, as the Raiders used only 3 hits, combined with 2 Clark errors to post a 5-3 win. d’Aundray Van Slyke was the hero of the day for Pierce, as his 2-run single in the top of the 6th inning, proved to be the difference maker. TJ Horsfall threw a gem through 6 full innings, giving up 3 runs (3 earned), on just 3 hits, while striking out 4. Josh Potter picked up the save for the Raiders.
The second half of the Clark series was played in Vancouver (WA), on Monday, April 2. The Raiders won the opener with another offensive outburst, 11-7. Miles Nagel brought the big bat, popping a 2-run HR, and adding a double. Des Santos has a double and single, scored 3 runs, and drove in 4. Josh Potter also had 2 hits and added 3 RBI’s. Elliot Morris continued his re-hab from Tommy John surgery, throwing one inning as the starter, and retiring the three batters he faced. Jacob Phillips threw 6 innings in long relief and collected the win.
The Raiders completed the series sweep with a 6-4 win in the nightcap. d’Aundray Van Slyke hit a 2-run HR in the sixth for what proved to be the difference maker, as the Raiders wrapped out six extra base hits. Devin Kaaiwela had a triple and a double, and scored twice. Josh Potter had a 2-run double, and Des Santos had his second 2 steal game in as many days. Miles Nagel threw 4 1/3 innings for the win, giving up just 2 runs on 3 hits, and striking out 5. Josh Potter came in for Nagel and held on to complete the Raiders series sweep of the Penguins.
The wins make Pierce a perfect 4-0 to start the 2012 West League schedule, and improves the Raiders to 24-4 in league going back to 2011.
Despite a less than stellar 6-10 pre-seaason record
