Ventura pitching and defense was superb on Thursday afternoon in the desert as the Pirates blanked Antelope Valley 6-0. Justin Friedman pitched 7.1 innings of shutout baseball, scattering seven hits and striking out one to pick up the victory. Jackson Hickert worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the eighth and Taylor Campos pitched a scoreless ninth to sew up the win for Ventura (8-4). Brendan Griffith broke the school record with 11 assists at second base. Shane Gipson led the offense with two hits, including an RBI double, and one run scored.
The game was scoreless through six innings before the Pirates struck for two runs in the seventh. Griffith led the inning off with a walk, and Bryson Wallet singled him to third. Elijah Alexander was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Griffith then stole home for the game's first run, and Campos threw down the squeeze bunt to score Wallet. VC led 2-0.
After getting out of the jam in the bottom of the eighth, Ventura added four insurance runs in the top of the ninth. With two outs, Campos singled in Wallet. Gipson then delivered the big hit, a two-RBI double scoring Alexander and Campos to break the game open. T.J. Durfee then singled home Gipson to set the final 6-0 margin.
Ventura will complete the two-game set with AVC, hosting the Marauders on Saturday March 4. First pitch at Pirate Park is slated for 1:00 pm.