Behind another strong performance by sophomore pitcher Ashlyn Flinchum, the VC softball team shut out Santa Barbara 8-0 Tuesday. The Pirate win combined with a Hancock loss clinched outright the Western State Conference title for Ventura (26-6-1, 12-0). Flinchum allowed three hits and struck out 11 from the circle for the win and Ciana Garcia had three hits, including a double, with a run scored and a run batted in. Lauren Albrent chipped in a triple and a walk with two runs scored and three RBI.
Ventura took control of the game with a three-run third inning. Maggie Howe led off with a single and Garcia's groundout to short moved Howe to second. Ahlyssa Guzman followed with a single before Albrent knocked in two runs with a triple, following the runners home on a passed ball on the next at-bat.
The Pirates followed with a two-run fourth to stretch the lead to 5-0. Isabella Ayala led off with a single and, one out later, Mia Guerrero, Howe and Garcia hit back-to-back-to-back one-base hits to produce the two scores in the frame.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Vaqueros had their only real threat to score a run, working the bases loaded with one out on a pair of walks and a single. Flinchum induced an infield fly and a groundball out with the next two batters to work out of the jam and preserve the 5-0 advantage.
VC added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. Garcia and Guzman led off with singles before Albrent reached base on a fielder's choice that scored Garcia and moved Guzman to third. Albrent then advanced to second before Isabel Gallegos hit a two-RBI single to set the final margin.
Guzman ended the game with two hits and two runs scored while Howe also had a pair of base hits with a run scored and an RBI.
The Ventura win coupled with Hancock's loss at Moorpark Tuesday clinched the first conference title for the Pirates since 2017, their first outright since 2012.
VC next hosts Hancock on Wednesday April 19 at the VC Softball Complex. Game time is set for 2:30 pm.