The VC softball team was four outs away from forcing a decisive Game 3 in their first round playoff series at Palomar on Saturday. Then they weren't. The Pirates led 3-0 with two outs in bottom of the sixth inning before the Comets rallied for four runs to defeat Ventura and take the series. Isabel Gallegos paced VC (27-14) with a pair of hits and a run batted in. Kat Tafoya and Ciana Garcia also recorded an RBI each in the heartbreaking loss.
Ventura got on the board quickly, scoring in the top of the first inning. Ahlyssa Guzman was hit by a pitch and Leanna De La Cruz reached first on an error. Lauren Albrent walked to load the bases and Gallegos hit an RBI single for the 1-0 Pirate lead.
The Pirates added to their advantage in the third inning. With one out Albrent walked and Gallegos singled. Garcia followed with a single to score Albrent for the 2-0 margin.
VC added one more score in the top of the sixth. Isabella Ayala hit a one-out double and scored on a single by Tafoya to give VC a 3-0 margin.
Unfortunately the lead was not enough. The Pirates recorded two quick outs in the bottom half of the sixth before the Comets rallies. Palomar hit a pair of singles and a home run to tie the game before three more singles and an error gave the Comets the game-winning run.
Tafoya made the start for the Pirates in the pitcher's circle, throwing into the sixth inning. She gave up three hits over the first five innings before the Comets caught fire in the sixth. Ashlyn Flinchum came on in relief for VC.
The loss ends another successful season for the Ventura softball team. They finish the year with a 27-14 record, 10-2 in the Western State Conference North Division.