In a scheduled double-header, the Ventura College softball team took game one from visiting Oxnard, 15-5 Tuesday afternoon before game two was postponed due to rain. Mariah Gamboa was 4-4 in the game, with two doubles and a triple, batting in four runs and scoring three more in the victory that finished the final inning in a healthy rain storm.
The Pirates took control with a five-run first inning, and scored one more in the third. They crossed the plate six times in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 12-0 lead, setting up a mercy-rule ending.
As Oxnard began to bat in the top of the fifth, the rains began. A pair of costly defensive mistakes by the Pirates allowed the Condors' inning to continue as the rain began to come down harder. Oxnard scored five runs in the frame, forcing VC to bat in the bottom of the fifth.
The Pirate offense answered the call with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to reestablish their lead at 15-5 for the early exit.
Carly Camarillo had three hits, including a double and a triple, to go along with her three RBI and a run scored, while Lindsey Deitz had a single, a double and a walk, leading to three runs scored and two runs batted in. Brittany Perez also had a single and a double while scoring twice with two RBI. Claira Lozano and Gabriella Ramos also had two hits each for the Pirates.
Alexis White was solid in the pitcher's circle, picking up the win with four strikeouts. She gave up five runs, three earned, all in the rain-soaked fifth inning.
The second game of the double-header was postponed and will be made up on Monday April 13 at 2:30 pm at the VC Softball Complex.
The Pirates will next host Moorpark College on Thursday April 9 at 2:30pm.