VC pitcher Luca Staiano produced another stellar performance Friday, scattering six hits and giving up one run pitching a complete game at Riverside, leading a 3-1 Pirate victory. He also struck out eight batters in shutting down the talented Tiger line-up. Aaron McLeod had two hits, including a double, and scored a run while Haiden Letzing had a hit, stole a base and scored a run for Ventura (6-4).
The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Letzing led off the frame with a single to center and McLeod followed with a single to left. Letzing stole third then scored when David King hit a sacrifice fly to right field.
In the top of the sixth, VC doubled their advantage. Henry Borjas led off with a single and advanced to second base. Yuki Kawashima singled Borjas to third before Mason Reid hit a two-out RBI single to send Borjas home.
Ventura added an insurance run in the seventh inning. McLeod doubled to left field to lead things off and Jacob Tostado delivered a clutch 2-out RBI single to put the Pirates ahead 3-0.
All the while, Staiano was throwing another gem. In the first he induced a pop fly and a ground out to retire the Tigers despite two runners on base, and he struck out the side in the sixth after giving up a walk and stolen base to start the at-bat. The only blemish on the line score came in the eight inning as RCC scored a lone run following a lead-off triple. Staiano retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the Pirate victory.
Ventura is slated to begin Western State Conference play on Tuesday Feb. 20 at Moorpark.