Bakersfield hands Vaqueros a tough 5-4 setback

Jun "Jack" Zhao recorded his first win as a Vaquero, beating Nick Hunter 7-6, 6-3. (Photo by Ken Sciallo / Sevilla Photography)
Jun "Jack" Zhao recorded his first win as a Vaquero, beating Nick Hunter 7-6, 6-3. (Photo by Ken Sciallo / Sevilla Photography)

Bakersfield edged SBCC 5-4 on Friday in a tight WSC men's tennis match at Pershing Park.

The teams split the six singles matches with Emerson Sekban (6-1, 6-0) and Spencer Ekola (6-1, 6-2) cruising to victories at Nos. 1 and 2 singles for the Vaqueros (0-5, 0-3 WSC). Jun Zhao got his first win at No. 6 singles, 7-6, 6-3.

The Renegades (1-3, 1-1) notched their first win.

The match was decided at No. 2 doubles when the Renegades' Zach Gomez and Mario Cabalozo held off Adolfo Ortega/Dim Dros 8-5.

Ortega and Dros suffered tough losses at Nos. 3 and 5 singles. Ortega dropped the first set 7-5, won the second 6-0 and lost the third 7-6 in another tiebreaker. Ivan Rivera edged Dros, a freshman from The Netherlands, 7-6, 7-6. 

The Vaqueros will play their third home match in three days, hosting Fullerton on Saturday at 11 a.m.

 
Singles
1. Emerson Sekban, SBCC, def. Alec Slykerman 6-1, 6-0
2. Spencer Ekola, SBCC, def. Chanrien Ul 6-1, 6-2
3. Zach Gomez, BC, def. Adolfo Ortega 7-5, 0-6, 7-6
4. Mario Cabaloza, BC, def. Stevie Acuna 6-2, 6-0
5. Ivan Rivera, BC, def. Dim Dros 7-6, 7-6
6. Jun Zhao, SBCC, def. Nick Hunter 7-6, 6-3

Doubles
1. Sekban/Ekola, SBCC, def. Ul/Rivera 8-0
2. Gomez/Cabaloza, BC, def. Ortega/Dros 8-5
3. Slykerman/Austin Lux, BC, def. Acuna/Zhao 8-0