After taking an early 1-0 lead, the Pirates could not hold on, falling 9-4 at Oxnard College Saturday in Western State Conference play. The Ventura offense struggles, producing just four hits, all singles, in the game. Meanwhile, VC used seven pitchers to complete the game.
Ventura took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Dylan Colman had a one-out single, and a batter later, Codi Santana reached first base on an error and Colman scored on the play.
Unfortunately, the Pirate advantage was short-lived as Oxnard plated three runs in the bottom half of the frame. The Condors followed that up with another run in the second to take a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Tony Fonzo led off reaching base on an error, advancing to second base. With one out, Michael Volaski singled him home as the Pirates closed to within 4-2.
OC answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, and scored twice in the fifth.
Ryan Coker and Bradley Fullerton sandwiched singles around the first out of the eighth inning, and Colman reached on an error to load the bases for VC. Fonzo had a sacrifice fly to right field to score Coker, and Fullerton scored when Colman was caught stealing second base.
The Condors crossed the plate twice more in the eighth to make the final score 9-4.
The Pirates pitched by committee in the game, using seven hurlers. Carlos Soto started the game and took the loss. Alexander Torres and Tyler Esquivel each had scoreless outings on the mound.
Ventura will return home on Tuesday March 17 to complete the two-game set with the Condors. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 pm.