VC pitcher Ashlyn Flinchum had another strong outing in the circle Monday, holding visiting Santa Ana to one run and three hits while striking out 10 in the Pirates' 6-1 over the Dons. Isabel Gallegos had three hits and three runs batted in and Ciana Garcia scored three runs in the triumph SoCal No. 6-ranked Ventura (18-3-1, 6-0). Lauren Albrent had two hits with a run scored and an RBI while Flinchum contributed two hits and a run scored to the effort.
The Pirates got off to a quick start Monday. Garcia walked to open the bottom of the first and one out later Albrent singled. Gallegos followed with another single to score Garcia and VC led 1-0.
The top of the Ventura line-up added to the lead in the third. Garcia and Ahlyssa Guzman led off with back-to-back singles, with Garcia moving to third on the latter hit and Guzman advancing to second on a throw to third. Albrent then hit a sacrifice fly and the Pirates doubled their advantage.
Ventura pulled away with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Flinchum was up first with a single and Maggie Howe hit a single one out later, with both runners moving ahead a base on the throw to the infield. Garcia followed by reaching first on an error with two runs scoring for the Pirates. After the second out of the frame, Albrent singled and Gallegos hit in both runners with long base hit for a 6-0 margin.
Santa Ana plated one run in the top of the fifth with a two-out rally, but Flinchum recorded a K for the third out to prevent more damage.
Flinchum then struck out the side in the sixth, and VC retired the side in the seventh to preserve the victory.
The Pirates resume Western State Conference play on Tuesday March 28 at Los Angeles Pierce.