The Ventura College softball team split a pair of games with rival Moorpark on Thursday at the VC Softball Complex. The Pirates (2-2) yielded a four-run seventh inning to the Raiders in the opener, falling by a 6-4 score before coming back to take a 3-2 win in the nightcap. Jalen Barron had four hits on the day, including a triple, with two runs scored and a run batted in while Abby Strong belted out three hits.
Ventura 4, Moorpark 6
In the opener, Ventura built a 3-0 lead early, but he Raiders scored all six runs in the final two frames to come from behind. Strong was 2-4 with a double and two runs scored while Baron was 2-3 with an RBI. Aleska Page also had a pair of hits while Celeste Pacheco and Leanna De La Cruz each had a hit with a run scored.
Ventura took the early lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Pacheco opened the game with a single and scored when De La Cruz reached base on an error. Barron then ripped a triple to score De La Cruz and the Pirates led 2-0.
In the second, Strong led off with a double, and, two outs later, scored when Pacheco reached first on an error.
VC starting pitcher Kat Tafoya was sailing along through five innings, scattering four hits while striking out four Raiders. In the sixth, things changed, however, as Moorpark plated a pair of runs to pull to within 3-2.
The Pirates scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. They loaded the bases with one out before Pacheco reached base on a fielder's choice that scored Strong for a 4-2 advantage. Unfortunately, Ventura left the bases loaded in the frame.
In the top of the seventh, Moorpark rallied with four runs to set the final margin at 6-4.
Ventura 3, Moorpark 2
The Pirates came back in the nightcap to hold on for a 3-2 win to split the day. Abygail Hall made her VC debut with two hits, including a double, and a run batted in while Barron added two more hits and two runs scored. Morgan Albertsen was 1-3 at the plate and pitched a complete game for the victory.
Ventura scored in the first inning once again, taking the early advantage. With two outs, Barron singled and moved to third when Page and Strong each walked. Hall then belted out an RBI single for the 1-0 score.
Moorpark evened the score with a run in the top of the second before the Pirates rallied for two in the bottom of the fifth. With pone out De La Cruz singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Barron then singled moving De La Cruz to third. Page followed with a squeeze bunt to score De La Cruz as Barron moved to scoring position. Strong then reached first base on an error that scored Barron for a 3-1 Pirate lead.
MC scored a single run in the sixth inning, but the Pirate defense was able to turn back the Raiders to preserve the victory.
Albertsen scattered eight hits over the seven innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out one.
VC finishes the season-series with the Raiders with a twin-bill on the road Saturday May 1.