The Pirates' softball team used a walk-off walk in the bottom on the ninth inning to claim a 1-0 victory over visiting Allan Hancock Thursday afternoon at the VC Softball Complex. Anissa Padilla drew a bases loaded base on balls with two outs to force in Justine De La Rosa for the game-winning run. With the win, VC (20-9, 11-3) pulls closer to the log jam atop the Western State Conference North Division.
Padilla had a masterful performance in the pitcher's circle, allowing just four hits in nine complete innings. She struck out eight batters in shutting out the Bulldogs.
Alyssa Frutos was 2-3 at the plate and Christina Hart was 1-3. Celeste Ekman was 1-4, as was De La Rosa.
in the bottom of the ninth inning, De La Rosa led off with a single and Brittany Perez was hit by a pitch. After a strikeout, Ekman walked to load the bases. Another punch out followed before Padilla drew the walk-off walk.
With the victory, Ventura, with a conference mark of 11-3, moves to within half a game of the Bulldogs, who sit at 12-3. Bakersfield is in a virtual tie with the Bulldogs at 13-4 while Cuesta sits in fourth at 12-5.
The Pirates next take the field on Tuesday April 11 for a twin-bill at Santa Barbara.