Baseball team rises above expectations

The Brahmas were also sixth in the state in hits and were ninth in runs scored.

we want to implement here,” Navarro said. “Coach Kerr left some collegiate concepts within the system and we need to continue to foster that and have a great positive attitude. We must play with a relentless effort and we have to respond with phenomenal character. Those are my goals here. Are we behind as far as spring ball? Yes, but however, it is my responsibility to teach them the standard of performance and make sure we achieve that.”

It will be a different story for Landers, however, as he gets to go back to Valley College, where he was a player during the 1999-2000 seasons. After being away for over 10 years, he felt “it was time to come back home.”

Landers was appreciative of his short time at Pierce, albeit it was only three months.

“I want to thank coach Martinez for the opportunity,” Landers said. “I think he is an awesome coach.”

Landers feels that the Monarchs’ current coaches, who have all played Division I football, will give Valley the edge. The Monarchs are looking to end the Brahmas’ five-year reign with the Victory Bell after being defeated 42-9 last season at Valley.

“I don’t think that Pierce is going to have the coaching that Valley will have,” Landers said. “We have all been Division I. They have no one on that staff that has been at our level.”

Landers also feels that with the addition of Clayborne and himself at Valley, Pierce will no longer have an advantage in recruiting.

“We can out-coach anyone and out-recruit anyone,” Landers said.

The once-dormant rivalry between Pierce and Valley is now heating up again with all three new Monarch coaches being former Brahmas.

To add fuel to the fire, Landers took shots at Brahmas’ athletic director, Bob Lofrano, and offensive coordinator, Jason Sabolic. “Lofrano has no love for the football program,” Landers said. “They also have a bad offensive coordinator. None of the players respect Sabolic as a coach.” Valley’s coaches now have the Monarchs excited about their opportunity to be a competitive football program once again. The Victory Bell is always on the mind of Landers, who wants nothing more than to watch Pierce lose and bring the bell back to Valley after five long years away from home.

“We’re coming for the bell,” Landers said.

After going 7-6-1 to start the 2014 season the Brahmas baseball team gained momentum to carry them further into the postseason than Pierce College has seen since 2008.

Between March 8 -22 Pierce would then get into a rhythm winning six of their first seven to open the conference season.

After a shutout loss to Santa Barbara ending the run, the Brahmas faced Oxnard who dominated the Brahmas throughout the season including the postseason.

Earlier in March, despite striking early in the game, Pierce could not come back from a four run rally from Oxnard in the second inning the game. Daniel Barazza, who was pitching for Pierce, was unable to settle into his comfort zone, giving up four runs in the 12-5 loss.

This time around, Pierce fell 8-2 and in the very next game Oxnard pitcher Austin Kamel threw a no hitter on March 29.

This season’s team has 20 freshman players in a team of 28. Strong offensive performances during the season from Joe Moran (.370) Austin Peters (.341) certainly aided the team. The Brahmas ended the season with a batting average of .295 and an on base percentage of .389, one of the highest among California community colleges.

The pitching was a little shaky however with a team ERA of 5.10. While the numbers at a glance are unfavorable there is promising talent on the roster. Michael Knopf ended on a high winning two of his last three games of the regular season with a 3.88 ERA for those games. Pierce went on to win five of their next ten games. The tenth game against Santa Barbara was a hard blow as it put a Brahmas post season in question but they were able to pull off a 3-2 win in their next game propelling them into the first round off the playoffs since 2011.

First up was Jared Robinson who pitched eight scoreless innings for Cerritos in a 5-1 victory. Down one game in a three game series was a stressful position for the Brahmas but doubleheader on May, 3 saw a calm and composed Barazza getting the save after seven innings and only one run allowed by freshman pitcher Harsa Prahara. Barazza then Started in game 3, which Pierce, won to move into the Super Regionals, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since 2006.

First game in the Super Regionals against Oxnard, Pierce suffered from early errors that contributed toa 9-1 loss. Game two required extra innings as Oxnard eventually came out on top after twelve. A majority of the team will be returning next season and flashes of future promise should make for a stronger and hungry Brahmas baseball team.

For the Brahmas to be successful next year they will need to bolster their pitching to be considered a contender. Compared to the Brahmas, Oxnard, still in the hunt for the state championship, has a team ERA of 2.03 and opponents are hitting .204 which goes for best in the state. Pierce showed promise with Knopf finishing strong down the stretch but, for a team with a former pitcher for a head coach and only eight pitchers on staff, the Brahmas are in desperate need for starting pitching.

The Brahmas infield was also atrocious, especially at shortstop where Austin Peters committed

26 errors in 40 games and had a fielding percentage of .877. The worst team in the state in team fielding percentage was Imperial Valley but even they were able to crack 921. Even though he is a freshman, 26 errors as a starter in college is unacceptable at every level. If Pierce is to be successful Peters is going to have to work hard and dedicate his entire offseason to making himself a better fielder.

Overall, the season for Pierce was one of its most successful in years. They proved that they can hit the ball and showed that this team also has an identity. But there is room for improvement. A new year, a new pitching staff and hopefully a smoother shortstop in the hole will make Pierce a contender for the playoffs, the conference and a state title.

Season Stats

Overall: 21-19-1

Winning Percantage: .524 Conference:

Home: 8-8

Away: 12-10

Neutral: 1-1-1