Baseball Victorious in Home Finale on Sophomore Day
Raiders recognize sophomores ahead of game
MOORPARK Calif. (April 23, 2026) – The final home contest of the spring for the 2026 baseball season saw the Moorpark College Raiders defeat to Cuesta College, 6-2, this afternoon.
Prior to play, a six pack of sophomores was recognized and thanked for the contributions each has made to the program and department while representing the Raiders. The sophomore class is comprised of Gabriel Flores, Braden Jarvis, Ty Nicolay, Jaden Onaca, Drew Paez and Lucas Rieker.
Once action began, Braden Huber retired the side in order in the top of the first. Onaca found a hole on the left side for the first hit of the game in the bottom half, but MC was unable to string anything more together at that point. The Cougars put up the first crooked number in the top of the second, although Huber did connect with Jaydrien Klein-Baker for the second out on a pickoff. The Raiders responded in their half of the second, capitalizing on a leadoff hit by pitch of Flores followed by a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt from Joshua Brown before Jaxson Herron knocked an RBI single to right, knotting the teams at 1-1.
Moorpark doubled its tally in the second. Nicolay drew a walk and stole second before Onaca collected his second RBI hit of the day to put the Raiders on top 2-1.
The offense continued to produce as the Raiders opened the gap even further in the fourth frame. Brown led off the inning with a solo homerun to left field. Reiker capitalized on his start behind the plate and at the plate. With two outs, he singled deep in the shortstop hole and advanced to second on an errant throw. Alex Van promptly drove a single to center, plating Reiker to extend the lead to 4-1.
Van continued to aid the Raiders offensive output by singling in the seventh and moving up 90 feet with a stolen base. Déjà vu ensued as Nicolay drew a walk putting the bat in Onaca's hands. Once again the sophomore came up clutch for the Blue and White, knocking in Van for yet another RBI hit, giving the home squad a 5-1 advantage after seven.
Although Cuesta mustered a second run in the top of the eighth, it was not nearly enough to create a comeback. MC added an insurance run. As Brown launched his second round tripper of the game in the bottom of the eight as the Raiders wrapped up the 6-2 victory.
Huber (3-1) worked 7.0 innings, scattering four hits with four strike outs as he allowed just one run. Jaden Kolkowski tossed the final 2.0 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one, keeping the Cougars off the board with the final six outs.
Overall, Onaca was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Brown was 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs, also drawing a walk. Van also had two hits in the game. Nicolay drew a trio of walks in the win.
Moorpark (12-27, 5-17 WSC) closes out the 2026 season on Friday, April 24 when the Raiders travel to Oxnard for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch.
Box Score: MC 6, CC 2
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