The VC softball team sent 17 batters to the plate scoring 11 runs on 10 hits in the fourth inning alone in Game 1 of Thursday's double-header with Bakersfield College en route to a 14-3 run-rule win in five innings. They could not duplicate that success in Game 2, however, falling 7-3 to the Renegades at the VC Softball Complex. Celeste Pacheco and Jalen Barron each had four hits on the day to lead the Pirates (5-5, 4-4).
Ventura 14, Bakersfield 3, 5 innings
The Pirates used a 17-batter, 11-run fourth inning to break the game wide open in their 14-3 run-rule victory in Game 1 of the double header. Barron had three hits in the game, including a triple, with two runs batted in while Serena Carmona knocked in four runs while scoring two more in the blowout win.
Bakersfield scored once in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Pirates answered, however with three runs in the bottom half of the frame. Courtney Terrazas was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Abby Strong followed with a single. Aleska Page then singled to load the bases before Isabella Ayala singled home two runs before being thrown out at second base. One out later Isabel Gallegos singled home another run for the 3-1 VC advantage.
The Renegades tied the game with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning before the Pirates opened it up in the fourth.
VC had nine straight batters reach base in the fourth inning without an out, with all nine eventually scoring a run. Pacheco had two RBI with a triple to the right field corner in the frame and Carmona cleared the bases with another triple to the left field corner. Barron also had two hits in the inning with two runs batted in, one on each hit. Carmona and Gallegos each scored twice in the inning.
Morgan Albertsen got the start in the circle for the Pirates, throwing two innings while giving up one run with one strikeout. Kat Tafoya came in and finished the job, pitching three frames while yielding a pair of runs with two punch-outs.
Ventura 3, Bakersfield 7
The Pirates could not maintain their momentum in Game 2, falling by a score of 7-3. nine of the first ten VC batters in the game were retired, and they did not score until the sixth inning.
Bakersfield scored first once again, plating a pair of scores in the fourth inning. The Renegades then scored five times in the sixth to hold a commanding 7-0 margin.
In the bottom of the sixth inning the Pirates finally got on the board. Pacheco singled to lead off the frame and Baron singled one out later. Then Terrazas singled home Pacheco for the Pirates' first score of the game.
Ventura then scored twice in the bottom of the seventh. Ayala singled with one out and Gallegos followed with an RBI triple. Pacheco then singled home Gallegos to set the final score.
Tafoya took the loss in the circle, pitching six innings and giving up seven runs, six earned, with five strikeouts. Albertsen pitched a perfect seventh inning in relief.
Ventura returns to the diamond on Saturday May 15 for a twin-bill at Bakersfield.