The Pirate softball team returned to the VC Softball Complex for the first time this season and outlasted visiting Antelope Valley 5-3 on Thursday. Lauren Albrent was 2-4, including a two-run inside-the-park home run to right field, while Leanna De La Cruz and Isabella Ayala both belted out a pair of hits. Kat Tafoya made the start in the pitchers circle, throwing five complete innings to earn the win and Ashlyn Flinchum struck out three in two scoreless frames for the save.
After giving up a run in the top of the first, Ventura came back with two scores in the bottom half of the inning. Ciana Garcia led off with a walk, and was sacrificed to second by Leanna De La Cruz. Garcia then moved to third base on a passed ball before the second out of the inning. Abby Strong followed with an RBI single and Isabella Ayala singled Strong to third. Isabel Gallegos walked to load the bases and Courtney Terrazas was hit by a pitch to score Strong for the 2-1 Ventura lead.
in the bottom of the second, Ahlyssa Guzman reached base on an error and came home when De La Cruz doubled. Albrent followed with a towering shot to deep right field, racing around the diamond for an inside-the-park home run. The Pirates led 5-1 after two complete.
AVC came back with a pair of runs in the fifth inning, but Flinchum came on in the sixth to shut the door on the Marauders.
The Pirates will next travel to Palm Desert to play in the President's Desert Classic at College of the Desert Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18 and 19.