The VC baseball team traveled north to Stockton Friday to open its 2023 season at San Joaquin Delta College, falling by a 19-12 decision. Reiss Calvin led the solid offensive effort with three hits, including a pair of doubles, with four runs batted in while Haiden Letzing totaled three hits, including a triple, with three runs scored and an RBI. Andrew Savage recorded two singles with two runs scored and three RBI and Gage Allen reached base five of six plate appearance, three times via walk, with two runs scored an an RBI.
It was rough sailing for the Pirates early as they gave up nine runs in the first two frames to the host Mustangs.
VC finally got untracked in the third, plating four scores to cut into the deficit. Allen and Connor Hickey each drew bases loaded walks, and Calvin hit an RBI single. Carson Friesen also added a run-scoring base hit as VC trailed 9-4 after the frame.
Calvin then delivered again an inning later, knocking in two runs with a double to pull Ventura to within 9-6.
Delta then rallied for four runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to reestablish control, despite the two-runs scored by the Pirates in the top of the sixth. Savage delivered the two-RBI single in the sixth.
The Pirates scored two runs in the eighth and ninth innings to post the final 19-12 margin.
Ventura will conclude the road trip with a double-header against Delta on Saturday Jan. 28 in Stockton, beginning game one at 10:30 am.