Three extra base hits powered a four-run first inning as the Pirate baseball team won at College of the Canyons 8-3 Tuesday afternoon. Rodolfo Aguilar was 3-4 at the plate, including a double, with two RBI and a run scored and Nick Bero added a pair of hits, batting in two runs with a run scored. Dylan Francis picked up the win on the mound allowing three runs over five innings with six strikeouts.
With one out in the first inning, Aguilar was hit by a pitch and Blake Chiaramonte singled to left field. Brendan Griffith lined a double to right center scoring Aguilar, then Chiaramonte scored from third on a passed ball. Bryson Wallet doubled in Griffith before being thrown out at third base, and Elijah Alexander homered to make it 4-0 for the Pirates.
A walk and two errors loaded the bases with no outs for VC in the top of the second, and Aguilar singled in Bero for a 5-0 margin. Ventura was unable to cash in any more scores in the inning, however, leaving three runners on base.
Canyons scored two runs in the third inning before Aguilar had an RBI double in the fourth to score Chris McKee. Bero had two RBI on a double in the fifth, scoring Wallet and Griffith for an 8-2 margin and the Cougars scored once in the bottom of the inning.
The Pirate bullpen combined for four scoreless innings of relief highlighted by Jackson Hickert going two innings with three strikeouts.
The Pirates will next host San Diego Mesa at Moorpark College on Friday Feb. 3.