Sophomore slugger Kuea Angilau smashed a pair of home runs to help lead Porterville College to a doubleheader split against visiting Moorpark College on Friday. The Pirates suffered an 11-1 loss in five innings in Game 1 but rallied late to take the second game 11-10 in eight innings.
Angilau had a very Barry Bonds-like day at the plate, going a combined 2 for 4 (2 HR) with 4 walks, 3 RBI, and 3 runs. Angilau currently ranks second in the state with 8 home runs, 11 walks, and a 1.219 slugging percentage. Of her 14 hits, 9 have gone for extra bases (8 HR, 1 2B).
PC couldn't get much going offensively in the opener, totaling 5 hits off Moorpark starter Cassandra Akers. Angilau's solo shot in the bottom of the first provided the Pirates' lone run in the contest. Jonee Villanueva added a double.
Ally Boyd took the opening-game loss, allowing 10 runs (8 earned) and 10 hits over 4 innings.
Game 2 was a much different story as the Pirates banged out 14 hits but had to rally late to pull off an extra-inning victory.
Trailing 4-3, PC put up six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a commanding 9-4 advantage. Porterville appeared to be on its way to the win but Moorpark rallied for five runs in the top of the seventh to tie up the ball game.
Moorpark continued its late-game momentum with a run in the eighth, but the Pirates were able to score twice in the bottom of the frame for the thrilling walk-off victory.
Sayra Sanchez (3 for 4, 2 runs, RBI) and Julie Rocha (3 for 4, 2 runs, RBI) both had big games offensively while Villanueva (2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 runs) drove in a pair of runs.
Veronica Bosquez went 6 1/3 innings, allowing 6 runs (5 earned) and 6 hits. Boyd earned the win in relief, tossing the final 1 1/3 innings giving up 4 runs (3 earned) and 3 hits.
Porterville improved to 4-9 overall and returns to action on Thursday (Feb. 27) at 2 p.m. when the Pirates travel to West Hills College Coalinga to open Central Valley Conference play.
