The VC softball team got back on track Thursday with a 3-1 victory over Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Arianna Rivas was 4-4 at the plate, including a pair of doubles, and scored a run while Anissa Padilla had two runs batted in offensively and scored once while pitching a two-hitter with eight strikeouts in the field. The win pulls VC (20-7, 7-2) into a tie for second place in the Western State Conference North Division with the Bulldogs after sweeping the season series from AHC.
The Pirates continued their defensive woes from earlier in the week giving up an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning.
Ventura was able to right the ship quickly, however, coming back with two runs in the top of the second. With one out, Rivas doubled and Padilla followed with another two-bagger for an RBI, advancing to third on an error. Next, Danielle Carmona singled in Padilla as the Pirates led 2-1.
VC got another score in the third inning to make it 3-1. Adriana Clemons singled and stole second to start the inning and Kayla Garcia walked. One out later, Rivas singled to load the bases and Padilla had a ground out to second base to score Clemons.
The Pirate defense behind Padilla handled things from there, allowing just two base runners and one hit the final five innings.
Ventura will return home on Friday April 6 for a non-conference game against Compton at the VC Softball Complex. First pitch is slated for 11:00 am.