The Pirate baseball team gave up another eight-run inning Thursday, setting the stage for a 9-4 loss at Hancock in Santa Maria. Ben Drumheller recorded two hits, including a double, and Henry Borjas knocked out a pair of hits and scored a run. Lucas Martinov also had two hits in the game and Matthew Ramirez scored twice.
The Pirates dug a huge hole in the bottom of the first against the Bulldogs, giving up eight runs on seven hits. Pitcher Caden Stillwell settled in after the frame, limiting AHC to three hits and no runs through four more complete innings of work.
VC got on the board with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jacob Tostado and Borjas each singled to open the at-bat, and both moved forward 90 feet on a wild pitch. Tommy Castaneda grounded out to first base to score Tostado before Ramirez reached base on an error that scored Borjas. Martinov followed with a single and Grant Rodriguez walked to load the bases before Stillwell hit an RBI single to complete the rally.
Ramirez singled in the seventh, and eventually came around to score on a failed pick-off play at first two outs later.
Hancock scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to complete the 9-4 victory.
Ventura closes the three-game set with Hancock at home on Saturday April 12.