The VC softball team lost a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in the first game of a double-header at College of the Canyons on Tuesday before falling in the nightcap, 14-2 in five innings. Sophomore Cassidy Craig had two hits on the day with one run scored and a run batted in and Aleska Page also had a pair of hits. Jessica Mendoza pitched a a solid game in the opener, taking the hard-luck loss and produced a pair of hits with a run scored in the nightcap for Ventura (4-6).
Ventura 1, Canyons 2
The Pirates gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning to decide the game.
Mendoza scattered six hits over her six innings of work in picking up the hard-luck loss.
After Canyons scored one run in the bottom of the first inning, the Pirates came back to tie things up in the top of the third. Isabel Gallegos tripled to lead off the inning and came home one batter later when Craig laid down the successful squeeze bunt.
Ventura 2, Canyons 14 (5 innings)
After Ventura tied the score at 2-2 i the top of the third inning, the Cougars exploded for 12 runs in their final two innings for the mercy-rule contest.
Trailing 2-0, Ventura rallied for a pair of runs in the third inning. With two outs, Craig drew a walk and Mendoza singled, advancing to second on an errant throw. Kat Tafoya then reached base on an error, scoring both base runners to tie the game.
Page had a pair of hits in the game while Tafoya had one hit and the two runs batted in. Mendoza also recorded a pair of hits while scoring a run.
The Pirates travel to Antelope Valley on Thursday Feb. 13 before spending two days at the Mt. San Jacinto Tournament in Menifee Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15.