The VC softball team dropped an 11-3 decision at Antelope Valley Thursday in Lancaster. Aubrey Aguirre recorded three hits with a run batted in while Savanna Higgins, Lily Jimenez and Madison Shay produced two hits each. Higgins and Jimenez each had an RBI in the contest.
The Pirates opened up in a hole against the state No. 19-ranked Marauders, giving up five runs in the bottom of the first inning. AVC then scored two in the second, taking a 7-0 lead.
VC settled in at that point with one run in the top of the third. Shay hit a one-out double and Higgins brought her home with an RBI single.
Antelope Valley scored four more times in the bottom of the fourth before the Pirates plated two in the top of the fifth. With one out, Bryanne Magana singled and advanced to second on Dakota Moore's single. One out later Aguirre hit an RBI single to score Magana followed by a single from Erika Sanchez bringing home Moore. The rally was not enough, however, as AVC retired the Pirates to end the game early with a run-rule win.
Ventura will next travel to Menifee on Tuesday Feb. 25 to take on Imperial Valley and host Mt. San Jacinto.