MC's 2012 WSC Championship Team
Moorpark College claimed a piece of the WSC Championship with an dramatic, come-from-behind 6-5 win over Allan Hancock College. The Raiders first lead of the game was at 6-5 in the bottom of the 8th inning when Mark Fitzgerald drove the game-winning run, his second run of the game with a bases loaded walk.
Kenny Overly had 3 hits, Matty Toczynski had two hits, and was robbed on a hard hit down 3rd base with the bases loaded. Taylor “The Rifleman” Kahanowitch tied the game with an RBI single. While it wasn’t Nick Rogowski’s best day at the plate, he made the catch of the year in the 8th inning when he nabbed a shot down the left field line. Rogowski ran for what seemed an eternity to the Raider faithful. At the last second, he stretched out and made a diving catch worthy of ESPN top play any day. To exhibit the full exertion of his catch, his uniform belt buckle snapped on the catch.
Kevin Brown earned the win with 7 1/3 innings of near flawless pitching. Michael Coates earned the save, coming in with a runner on first and no outs.
Former Head Coach Jerry White and current Head Coach Mario Porto threw out the ceremonial first pitches before the game. The entire team was recognized for being named the John Keever Character Champion Award winners. In an unprecedented vote, the full coach8ng staff at MC voted the baseball and men’s track and field team to win this award for their loyalty to Moorpark College. Beyond that, both teams fought for a WSC title in the season’s final conference event. This focus on competing at their highest level in the face of being told prior to their season that the program would be suspended was a huge factor in the team vote as opposed to an individual winner, as it has been every other year. The Character Champion award is the most coveted given by the MC Athletic Department.