The Ventura College softball team sent 16 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning Tuesday en route to their 13-2 run-rule victory over the Cougars. Lauren Albrent smacked her ninth home run of the season and knocked in four runs in the fourth inning alone to pace Ventura (23-11, 6-1). Kat Tafoya gave up three hits in five complete innings of work in the circle with four K's to pick up the win.
After the Cougars plated a run in the top of the first, VC countered with their own score in the bottom half of the frame. Ciana Garcia had a two-out RBI single to score Ashley Perez to even the score after one.
VC took a lead in the bottom of the second with another run when Ahlyssa Guzman hit a two-out double to score Perez from first base.
Ventura then broke the game wide open in the bottom of the fourth sending 16 batters to the plate and scoring 11 runs. Albrent provided a one-out, three-run home run to score Perez and Guzman and Tafoya had a two-RBI single to score Isabel Gallegos and Garcia. After a pitching change, Abby Strong singled home Jocelyn Ortega followed by Tafoya crossing the plate when Guzman reached base on an error with two outs. Albrent singled home Isabella Ayala and Strong scored on an errant throw on the play. Gallegos ended the extended rally with a two-RBI single scoring Guzman and Albrent.
Cuesta scored an inconsequential run in the top of the fifth to set the final margin.
Perez, Albrent, Gallegos and Garcia all hid three hits apiece in the 19-hit Ventura attack. Every player in the line-up had at least one hit in the game and scored at least one run in the total team effort.
The Pirates next travel to Santa Maria on Thursday April 7 to take on Allan Hancock College. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.