The Pirates' softball team split a double-header Thursday at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, dropping the opener to the Marauders 5-0 before coming back with a 10-2 six-inning victory in the nightcap. Jalen Barron had the big hit for Ventura (10-6, 9-5), a grand slam home run in the top of the sixth in Game 2 to push the Pirates to the run-rule triumph. Serena Carmona was 3-3, including a double, with a run scored and two runs batted in in the second game.
Ventura 0, Antelope Valley 5
The Pirate bats were cold after the trip to the high desert as VC managed just two hits in the opener. Leanna De La Cruz and Kat Tafoya each reached base safely for VC while Barron and Isabel Gallegos drew walks to complete Ventura's four baserunners in the game. Tafoya added a stolen base.
Antelope Valley scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings before crossing the plate twice in the sixth.
Morgan Albertsen pitched 5.1 innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on six hits.
Ventura 10, Antelope Valley 2
Ventura came back with a big win in the nightcap, scoring six runs in the top of the sixth inning for the run-rule victory. Barron was 3-4 at the plate, including a double and a grand slam home run while Carmona was 3-3, also including a double. Gallegos and Isabella Ayala each scored two runs in the game.
The Marauders took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning before Ventura answered with two runs in the top of the second. Gallegos led off with a single, moving to second on a throwing error. She moved to third on Abby Strong's groundout, then scored on a wild pitch. Later in the frame, Ayala walked before scoring on Carmona's two-out double.
Antelope Valley evened the score at 2-2 with a run in the bottom of the second.
In the top of the fourth, Tafoya led off with a walk, moving to second on Ayala's single. Both runners moved ahead on Aleska Page's sacrifice bunt before Carmona hit a single to score Tafoya, giving the PIrates the lead for good.
An inning later Ventura scored another run for a 4-2 lead. After Barron led off with a single, Gallegos reached base on a fielder's choice, moving to second on an error. She then stole third before scoring again on a wild pitch with two outs.
The Pirates broke the game open with six runs in the top of the sixth inning. Ayala led off with a walk and Page followed with a single. Carmona singled to load the bases and Celeste Pacheco drew a walk to score Ayala. De La Cruz followed with an RBI single before Barron delivered the big blow, a grand slam home run to set the final margin at 10-2.
Tafoya pitched a complete game for the win, giving up two earned runs on five hits while striking out six.
The Pirates will host the Marauders for a pair of games on Saturday May 29 to close the 2021 season.