The Pirate softball team swept its season series over cross-county rival Moorpark with a 10-4 road win Thursday. Isabella Ayala had a key double in VC's six-run fourth inning, knocking in three runs in the game while Isabel Gallegos knocked out a home run against the Raiders. Morgan Albertsen had a pair of hits with a run scored and Lauren Albrent scored twice in the triumph. Ashlyn Flinchum struck out six in the circle for the complete-game win.
After allowing two runners on base in the bottom of the first, Flinchum worked out of the jam to hold the Raiders scoreless. in the top of the second, Ventura (22-5-1, 10-0), elevated to No. 5 in Southern California in the latest rankings, stranded the bases loaded to stay at 0-0.
The Pirates broke through with a run in the top of the third. Albrent walked and stole second with one out before Jocelyn Ortega hit a single to move Albrent to third. Ayala then laid down a squeeze bunt that scored Albrent from third for the 1-0 VC advantage.
Ventura then took full control of the game with a six-run fourth inning. With one out, Maggie Howe and Albertsen both singled. One out later Ahlyssa Guzman was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Albrent walked in a run. Ortega was then hit by a pitch to score another run and Ayala doubled to knock in two more scores. Flinchum and Mia Guerrero each followed with RBI singles and the Pirates led 7-0.
Moorpark made a game of it with a run in the bottom of the fifth and three more scores n the sixth inning to pull to within 7-4.
The Pirates put the game out of reach with three runs in the top of the seventh. Guerrero mad it on base with one out on an error, and pinch hitter Alexis Carillo also reached base on an error. Gallegos then blasted a three-run home run to set the final 10-4 margin.
Ventura next travels to Santa Barbara for a make-up game on Wednesday April 12.