Returning home the Ventura College baseball team looked for a chance to stay atop the Western State Conference North, but were unable to hold off Santa Barbara City falling 8-4. Ray Lambert started and went six innings for VC allowing 10 hits, but just three runs and struck out six hitters. Tony Fonzo and Erick Allegro each had two hits with Allegro driving in two runs. Vinny Avila had an rbi triple and scored a run.
Ventura (11-10, 5-5) entered the game ranked No. 15 in Southern California. Falling behind 2-0 early the Pirates plated a pair of two out runs when Avila tripled in Robert Stephan and then scored on an Erick Allegro single. SBCC answered with a run in the next frame to go back up 3-2. Ventura tied the game at 3 all when Brison Cronenbold doubled to scored Adisson Pelupessy, but again the Pirates couldn't hold the tie allowing three runs in the next frame. VC cut into the deficit with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but SBCC answered with two more runs and held on for the 8-4 win.
Alex Esquivel gave VC a scoreless inning of relief in his first college appearance. Bryson Wallet collected a single and had a sacrifice bunt. Fonzo scored the Pirates fourth run of the game.
Ventura will now play host to rival Oxnard College on Friday Mar. 18 for a 2:30 pm contest at the Pirate Baseball Complex.