The Pirate baseball team rebounded from a difficult result Thursday to beat visiting Cuesta 7-2 Friday afternoon at Pirate Park. Dylan Francis earned his fourth win of the season with seven innings on the mound allowing two runs and striking out four. Jackson Hickert earned his third save of the year with two scoreless innings of relief. Elijah Alexander and Chris McKee each picked up three hits for Ventura (18-12, 8-7).
The Cougars scored one run in the top of the first and the Pirates countered with a score in the bottom half of the frame. Alexander singled and stole second before Rodolfo Aguilar sacrificed Alexander to third. Blake Chiaramonte grounded out to the shortstop to score the run and tie the game.
VC took advantage of Cuesta mistakes in the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. Bryson Wallet reached base on an error, then advanced to second, then third on wild pitches. Kaden Betsch hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Wallet, giving the Pirates the edge.
After loading the bases with no results in the third inning, VC plated another run in the fourth. With one out, McKee singled, then Betsch and Nick Bero were both hit by pitches to load the diamond. Shane Gipson then reached base on a fielder's choice, scoring McKee and Ventura led 3-1.
Cuesta closed the gap with a run in the top of the sixth inning, and the Pirates responded with three more runs in the bottom of the inning. McKee had a one-out double, followed by and RBI two-bagger by Betsch. After the second out, Gipson doubled home Betsch, and Alexander followed with an RBI double to score Gipson. The Pirates led 6-2 after six frames.
VC added an insurance run in the eighth. Gipson had a one-out walk, and Aguilar followed with a two-out base on balls. Chiaramonte came up with another big hit, a double, to score Gipson and set the final margin at 7-2.
Ventura will play its next five games outside the conference, beginning on Saturday April 8 at College of the Canyons. First pitch with the Cougars is scheduled for 11:00 am.