The VC baseball team dropped a decision at Santa Barbara Saturday afternoon. Tommy Castaneda had a pair of hits, including a double, with two runs batted in and Grant Rodriguez also recorded a pair of base hits. Matthew Ramirez knocked in a pair of runs for VC.
The Pirates started off well with a run in the top of the first. Henry Borjas led off the game with a walk and Castaneda followed with a double. Ramirez grounded out to second to knock in the run for the 1-0 advantage.
It was all downhill from there, however, as the Vaqueros sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the bottom of the first.
Ventura managed some positive at bats in the ninth, scoring three runs. Max Weitz led off the frame with a single and, with one out, Hunter Cervantes drew a base on balls and Riley Dalto singled to load the bases. Castaneda followed with a two-RBI single and Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly before the final out.
VC next opens a two-game non-conference series with Rio Hondo at home on Tuesday Apr. 1.