The Pirate softball team dropped a 9-8 decision in walk-off fashion Wednesday afternoon at Victor Valley College in Victorville. Savanna Higgins led the VC attack with a 4-4 day, including a double, triple and walk with one runs scored and one run batted in and Alyssa Jacinto also had a 4-4 day at the plate with a double and an RBI. Raylene Reyes hit a single and a double with an RBI and a run scored while Alexyss Campos had a pair of hits with three runs scored and one RBI.
The Pirates trailed 1-0 early and tied the game in the top of the second. Campos, Jacinto and Haylie Lopez put together three two-out singles before Jacinto's walk forced in Campos.
The Rams scored another run in the bottom of the second before the Pirates took a lead in the third. Victoria Rodriguez singled and scored when Jade Loeffler reached base on an error. Chelsea Trejo followed with a single before Loeffler scored when Campos reached base on a fielder's choice.
Trailing 4-3 entering the fifth inning, VC went back ahead with a three-run inning. Campos and Jacinto opened the frame with two singles and Lopez's single scored Campos from second. One out later, Reyes doubled home Lopez, then Higgins tripled home Reyes.
The Pirates added another run for a 7-4 lead in the top of the sixth when Jacinto reached base on a fielder's choice and Jacinto hit an RBI double.
VVC came back with a two-run sixth, however, to pull to within 7-6 entering the final inning.
In the seventh, Ventura added an insurance run with a two-out double by Higgins and an RBI single from Rodriguez.
Unfortunately, the two-run lead was not enough as Victor Valley rallied for three runs in th bottom of the seventh, all coming with two outs.
VC is scheduled to travel to Santiago Canyon on Friday Feb. 2 before opening at home on Tuesday Feb. 6 against Citrus at 1:00 pm.