Playing in the second round of the playoffs for th3e second time in program history, the Pirate softball team dropped the first game of the best-of-three set at Cypress Friday afternoon, 4-0. Ciana Garcia recorded two of VC's three hits, and Isabel Gallegos had the other as Ventura (31-9-1) was limited to four baserunners in the game. Ashlyn Flinchum struck out eight Chargers, but allowed four runs, three earned, in the complete game setback.
The Chargers scored early on the Pirates, plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning. They added another score in the second and an insurance run in the fourth for the final margin.
Ventura threatened to score in the top of the second. Gallegos singled to lead off. She was sacrificed to second by Isabella Ayala and to third by Mia Guerrero, but could not make it home.
Garcia had a two out single in the third, and singled again with one out in the top of the fifth. Ahlyssa Guzman moved Garcia to second in the fifth, but once again, VC could not get the clutch hit with a runner in scoring position.
The teams face off again on Saturday May 13 in Game 2 at 12:00pm. A Pirate victory would force a deciding Game 3 at 2:00 pm with a berth in the CCCAA State Tournament on the line.