The Pirates celebrated their Western State Conference title, clinched earlier this week, on sophomore day at the VC Softball Complex with an 8-0 run-rule win over Los Angeles Pierce. Lauren Albrent finished a double away from the cycle with three hits, including a rare out-of-the-park home run, and five runs batted in to lead VC (27-7-1, 13-1). Ahlyssa Guzman had a pair of hits, including a double, and three runs scored and Ashlyn Flinchum recorded K's on 10 of her 12 outs in four innings in the circle.
Ventura scored once in the first to set the tone for the day. Guzman led off with a single, then stole second one out later. Albrent followed with an RBI single for the 1-0 lead.
The Pirates then broke the game open in the third. Guzman was hit by a pitch to lead off and Jocelyn Ortega singled. Albrent then knocked in two runs with a triple to the gap in left center before Isabel Gallegos doubled Albrent home. Isabella Ayala hit an RBI triple and, after the first out of the frame, Mia Guerrero grounded out to score Ayala. Ventura moved to the fourth with a 6-0 advantage.
Flinchum closed out her day in the circle in the top of the fourth with three strikeouts.
In the bottom half of the frame, VC put the finishing touches on the run-rule victory. Guzman hit a one-out double, then Albrent crushed a ball over the fence in left-center field for the rare out-of-the-park home run in the spacious VC Softball Complex. The two runs gave the Pirates an 8-0 lead headed to the fifth.
Morgan Albertsen took over the pitching duties and retired the side with two K's and a 1-3 groundout to finish the victory.
VC heads into the final week of the regular season on Monday April 24 with a non-conference make-up game at Pasadena. They close the campaign on Tuesday April 25 at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. Ventura's post season will likely begin at home on Friday May 5.