The SoCal No. 5-ranked VC softball team split a pair of non-conference games Sunday, defeating East Los Angeles 6-1 before falling to No. 4 Fullerton 1-0 in games in Monterey Park. Isabella Ayala had three hits on the day, two doubles, with a run batted in while Isabel Gallegos also recorded three hits, scoring twice with an RBI. Morgan Albertsen pitched a complete game for the win against ELAC while Ashlyn Flinchum struck out six Hornets and allowed one run in taking the hard-luck loss to Fullerton.
In the first game of the make-up double-header originally scheduled from March 11, Albertsen shut down the hosts, scattering four hits and allowing one run in the sixth inning.
Ventura took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Lauren Albrent beat out an infield single to lead off the frame and Gallegos singled to right field, with both runners moving ahead one base at the end of the play. Jocelyn Ortega followed with an RBI single, then stole second before Ayala hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Flinchum then hit a fly-ball double that advanced Ortega to third and Albertsen singled down the right field line for the 3-0 Pirate advantage.
The Huskies closed the gap a bit in the bottom of the fourth, pulling to within 3-1.
The Pirates then plated three insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Ahlyssa Guzman led off with a walk and Albrent singled to left. Gallegos followed with a single through the right side and Guzman scored on a throwing error which also moved Albrent and Gallegos ahead one base. Albrent then scored on a wild pitch, and Gallegos came home on another throwing error to set the final 6-1 margin.
The second game featured two of the best teams in Southern California with the No. 5-ranked Pirates and the No. 4-ranked Hornets. The teams played a playoff-type contest with both pitchers holding the offenses at bay.
Fullerton scored the only run of the game in the top of the third inning with a two-out RBI single, but Flinchum kept VC close, working her way out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth.
Unfortunately, the Ventura offense was stymied, collecting three hits in the game and moving just one runner to second base.
Flinchum struck out six batters and scattered eight hits, but took the loss, just her second of the season.
The Pirates resume the stretch run of Western State COnference play on Tuesday April 18 at Santa Barbara. They will have a chance to clinch the conference title at home on Wednesday April 19 against Hancock. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 2:30 pm.