Tennis goes to Ojai

FELIPE GAMINO Sports Editor @fgamino13

Two players on the tennis team will be representing the Brahmas at the 119th edition of the Ojai State Tournament.

Christian Ponce qualified for both the singles and doubles competition, while Daniel Vinterfeld will be teaming up with Ponce.

Athletic Director Moriah van Norman said she is happy for the two players who advanced.

“It is exciting to have re presentation in state. I’m really proud of them and they will do great,” van Norman said.

Both players advanced, having done well in the conference tournament held at Ventura College the weekend of Apr. 5.

Ponce won the first round matchup against Luis Aceves in two sets by the same score of 6-1. He would be eliminated in the quarterfinal round by Glendale College’s Nicholas Pupiec (6-1 and 6-3). Vinterfeld lost in the first round against GC’s Jinseok Lee in three sets, winning the first one 6-4. He lost the other two 6-4 and 12-10.

The state tournament will take place from Apr. 25-28 at Ojai.

April 15, 2019.

my bat at it and got a hit.”

Following that single, the key moment of the game came when Bodeau slid into second base as Long Beach tried to turn a double play on a ball hit from Johnathan Lavallee.

Lavallee beat the throw to first base but was called out when the umpire said Bodeau interfered with the second baseman.

“It’s gotta be pretty blatant.

They’re trying to protect the second baseman, which is great, but the rule states that if you slide in, you can pop up and you can even go past the bag,” Picketts said. “[The second baseman] didn’t do his job to get out of the way.”

Following the double play, Brent Swearingen, now up with two outs, hit a triple that would have put the Brahmas within one run and the tying run on third base. The next hitter, Dirk Ryan, then flew out, which would have tied the game.

Instead, the Brahmas ended the inning with no runs and the offense was unable to start a rally in the ninth inning.

“Unfortunately, it went against us,” Picketts said. “Those are two runs that we probably score right there and we’re tied up and I’m probably putting in Lavallee at that point in time because it’s his pen day, and who knows, it could be a totally different outcome.”

With the loss, the Brahmas’ record dropped to 9-21.

They will continue their busy schedule as they travel to Riverside College on Thursday, April 18, before coming back home to host Moorpark College the following day.