On the strength of a five-run first inning, the Pirates' softball team defeated visiting Oxnard 9-1 Saturday afternoon in a five-inning run-rule game. Jalen Barron smacked a pair of doubles with two runs scored and two runs batted in and Courtney Terrazas was 2-3 with a double and three RBI to lead Ventura (9-5, 7-4). Morgan Albertsen pitched a complete game, scattering three hits and allowing one run to the cross-county rivals.
Ventura sent 10 batters to the plate scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Celeste Pacheco reached base on an error and Leanna De La Cruz followed with a single. Barron doubled in both runners and Isabel Gallegos drew a walk. Terrazas followed with another 2-RBI double and Abby Strong singled advancing Terrazas to third. Strong then stole second as Terrazas scored on a throwing error for the fifth run.
VC followed with another two runs in the second frame. De La Cruz led off with a walk and Barron doubled to set up two runners in scoring position. Gallegos hit a sacrifice fly to right field, then Terrazas doubled for the second time in as many innings for another run batted in.
After Oxnard plated one run in the top of the fourth, the Pirates set up the run-rule victory with two runs in the bottom half of the inning with a two-out rally. Abygail Hall singled and moved to second when Kat Tafoya walked. Pacheco followed with a double to score both runners and VC led 9-1.
Albertsen and the Pirates then retired the Condors in order in the top of the fifth to seal the victory.
Ventura concludes its season in the coming week with a pair of double-headers against Antelope Valley College.