A long road trip got even longer Tuesday when the Pirate baseball team dropped an 8-7 decision in San Luis Obispo to Cuesta College in a marathon 16-inning game. The Pirates (18-18, 8-8) had brief leads of 6-3 and 7-6, but could not hold on, nor find a way to score in the seven extra frames in the loss. The VC bullpen was outstanding, allowing just two runs in 13 innings of work. Elijah Alexander had four hits at the plate, including a double, with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Andrew Nardi pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief and Taylor Campos hurled 2.2 frames of no-hit relief. Kodi Koorndyk pitched five innings in overtime, scattering four hits before yielding the game-winning run.
Offensively, Kaden Betsch smacked out a pair of hits with two runs scored and an RBI while Shane Gipson also had two hits, including a double, with two runs batted in and one run scored. Chris McKee had a double and a stolen base.
Ventura will travel to Santa Maria on Thursday April 20 to take on Allan Hancock College before hosting the Bulldogs on Saturday April 22.