In the playoffs, the margin for error decreases for all team involved. The Pirate softball team learned that lesson the hard way Friday in their 3-1 setback against El Camino in Game 1 of the Southern California Regional Playoffs at the VC Softball Complex. All-State pitcher Ashlyn Flinchum had a solid game in the circle, giving up four hits and one earned run in the game, but two errors and two unearned runs in the Warriors' three-run fourth inning proved to be the difference for Ventura.
Flinchum, the state's leader in strikeouts, got off to a quick start striking out the side in the first inning for the No. 6-seeded Pirates (29-8-1).
But No. 11 El Camino also had an ace in the circle, retiring VC in order in the first as well.
The Warriors threatened to score in the top of the third with runners at second and third with one out, but Flinchum induced a pop out to second and a 1-3 groundout to get out of the jam.
El Camino got on the board in the fourth with help from the Pirate defense. VC committed a pair of errors in the frame, and the Warriors scored three runs, one earned, on only one hit for the 3-0 edge.
The score remained until Ventura rallied in the sixth. Consecutive singles by Ciana Garcia, Ahlyssa Guzman and Lauren Albrent produced the Pirates' only score of the game and left two runners on base. Isabel Gallegos hit a long fly ball to right field that was caught just short of the fence and Guzman tagged up to third base. Albrent then stole second before a ground out, an intentional walk and a strikeout ended the threat with the bases loaded.
VC brought the potential tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with a lead-off single, but a 5-4-3 double play ended the game sending the Pirates to defeat, 3-1.
Ventura trails the best-of-three series, but still has a chance on Saturday May 6. The two teams will face off again in Game two at 12:00 pm at the VC Softball Complex, and a Pirate win would force a deciding Game 3 immediately following.