The Ventura College softball team recorded a pair of victories on the first day of the Mt. San Jacinto Tournament in Menifee on Saturday. VC (6-7) defeated LA Valley 7-3 in the first game of the day before besting San Bernardino Valley 8-2 in six innings in the nightcap. Celeste Pacheco had four hits on the day, including two doubles, with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Jessica Mendoza had three hits, including a triple, and Cassidy Craig also recorded three hits, including a home run.
Ventura 7, Los Angeles Valley 3
After falling behind 1-0 after two innings, the Pirates came back with three runs in the third, another in the fourth and three more in the fifth. The Monarchs plated a pair in the bottom of the fourth, but VC was able to hold on for the 7-3 win.
In the three-run third inning, Mendoza tripled to score Pacheco. Kat Tafoya then had an RBI single, and she scored two batters later on an error after Courtney Terrazas reached base on a fielder's choice.
VC went ahead 4-1 in the top of the fourth when Pacheco doubled home Isabel Gallegos who led off the inning with a walk.
The Pirates loaded the bases to begin the fifth inning with two singles sandwiched around an error. Lauren Saenz then singled home Abby Strong and Pacheco walked home Terrazas. Finally, Craig's RBI single scored Aleska Page for the final 7-3 margin.
Mendoza made the start in the pitcher's circle, throwing four innings and giving up three runs. Tafoya pitched the final three frames to pick up the save.
Ventura 8, San Bernardino Valley 2
Ventura score all eight runs in the first three innings, making quick work of the Wolverines. SBVC took an early 2-0 lead before the Pirates came back with three runs in the bottom of the first. VC tallied three more scores in the second before scoring twice in the third.
With one out in the bottom of the first, Craig hit a solo home run. Mendoza followed with a single, and came home one batter later on Strong's RBI triple. Terrazas then singled home Strong and VC led 3-2 after one.
In the second inning, Saenz led off with a walk and Gallegos proceeded to hit a two-run home run. Pacheco doubled, moved to third on Mendoza's groundout and scored on an error. The Pirates led 6-2 after two.
The Pirates added two more runs in the third column. With one out, Terrazas reached bas eon an error, and moved to third on Page's single. Saenz then hit an RBI single, and Gallegos followed with a groundout to score another run.
Tafoya picked up the win, pitching 4.1 innings, giving up three runs, two earned, while striking out five batters. Pacheco finished the game in the circle, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings.
Ventura finishes up the Mt. San Jacinto Tournament on Sunday Feb. 16, taking on College of the Desert and Mt. San Jacinto in Menifee.