The Pirate baseball team was the recipient of good fortune Tuesday in their 6-5 win over West Hills College in Coalinga. Dylan Colman reached base on a two-run error, then scored on a wild pitch, all in the ninth inning, as VC came from two runs down to capture the win.
Ventura opened the game with consecutive singles by Robert Stephan and Colman. Stephan scored when Codi Santana hit into a double play and the Pirates led 1-0 in the first inning. The falcons came back with single runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 2-1 lead.
In the sixth inning, the Pirates came back with a pair of runs. Bradley Fullerton reached on a fielder's choice, then scored on Jordan Simon's double. Ryan Coker then singled in Simon as the Pirates went ahead 3-2. West Hills responded with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, setting up the Pirate comeback.
In the top of the ninth inning, Vinny Avila opened up the frame by being hit by a pitch. Adam Maciel followed that up with a single to center. Colman then reached base on an error that scored both runners. Colman advanced to third on Jeff Schwartz's sacrifice bunt, and scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch.
Adisson Pelupessy started on the mound, giving up one earned run over the first five innings while striking out three. Alex Van Es and Tyler Esquivel each made relief appearances before Taylor Campos pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win.
VC next hosts Pasadena on Thursday April 2. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm at Pirate Park.