The VC softball team put together a pair of wins Saturday to complete the Ventura Spring Games, defeating state No. 12-ranked Bakersfield 7-0 in the morning before pounding Santa Barbara 16-1 in a five-inning affair in the afternoon. Isabel Gallegos had a strong day with a pair of home runs and six runs batted in and Ahlyssa Guzman had five hits on the day. Ashlyn Flinchum pitched the complete game win against the Renegades while Kat Tafoya shut down the Vaqueros from the pitcher's circle for Ventura (19-9, 3-1).
Ventura 7, Bakersfield 0
The Pirates gained a measure of redemption against the Renegades with their 7-0 victory after losing in Bakersfield 5-0 a month earlier. Flinchum was stellar in the circle taking a no-hitter into the sixth \while striking out four in the complete-game win.
Playing as the "visiting" team, the Ventura got on the board early when Gallegos smacked a three-run shot over the fence in right field.
In the top of the fourth, Guzman and Lauren Albrent led off with back-to-back doubles to score again. Gallegos was hit by a pitch and Courtney Terrazas singled home Albrent for a 5-0 advantage.
VC scored a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh when Terrazas sent one out of the park in right field to score two more runs.
Turns out Flinchum did not need the insurance as she worked out of bases loaded jams in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the shutout.
SB��: Flinchum completes the shutout for @VCPirateSB as VC defeats @GoGadesGo 7-0 in Game 1 of Day 2 of the Ventura Spring Games. @ventura_college @vcscolleges @TheAcornSports pic.twitter.com/K4xPKz5zlz
— VCPirateAthletics (@VCAthletics) March 26, 2022
Ventura 16, Santa Barbara 1
Ventura closed the weekend with a resounding win over Santa Barbara in a non-conference tilt. Tafoya was nails in the circle scattering five hits and giving up one earned run in the five-inning triumph.
The Pirates broke the game open early with a five-run first inning. Ciana Garcia had a bases-loaded double to score three and Abby Strong knocked in Garcia with a single. Strong then scored when Aaliyah Arias reached base on an error to complete the rally.
Ventura then countered a SBCC score in the third by sending 13 players to the plate in a nine-run frame. Arias cleared the bases with a three-RBI double with one out and scored on a single by Jocelyn Ortega. Albrent hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Ortega and Gallegos hit a three-run home run to left. Garcia singled, then scored when Tafoya reached base on an error for a 14-1 score.
VC added two more in the bottom of the fourth for good measure when Serena Carmona doubled home Terrazas and Kayla Garza.
The Pirates will resume Western State Conference play on Tuesday March 29 at home against SBCC. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 pm.