The Pirate softball team ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-1 Western State Conference victory at Santa Barbara City College Friday. Kali Brown led VC (11-11, 6-2) with three hits while Serrina Cabral knocked out a pair of hits with a run batted in and a run scored. Jessica Mendoza also had a pair of hits in the game, and scattered 11 hits from the pitcher's circle in picking up the victory.
Ventura got on the board in he top of the first when Marisa Felix had a clutch 2-out single to score Cabral from third base. SBCC answered with a run in the bottom half of the frame and it was 1-1 heading to the second.
The Pirates took advantage of three Santa Barbara errors in the second inning, taking control of the game with three runs. Kaylee Neal was hit by a pitch to open the inning, then Cassidy Craig reached base on an error. Jenesa Monje followed by reaching on a fielder's choice, scoring Neal on the play. One out later, Brown singled to load the bases, then Cabral singled up the middle to score Craig. Kayla Garcia then grounded out to second base, scoring Monje on the play for a 4-1 Ventura advantage.
Mendoza and the Pirate defense made the lead hold up for the remainder of the game, bending but not breaking against the Vaqueros. SBCC was 0-2 with runners on second base, and 0-3 with runners on third, as Ventura held on for the victory.
The Pirates will host the Ventura Spring Tournament Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24 at the VC Softball Complex.