The VC softball team split a pair of games Tuesday in Menifee, defeating Imperial Valley 13-6 before falling in extra innings to host Mt. San Jacinto, 5-4. Shortstop Madison Shay was 4-5 at the plate in the first game, including a double and a triple, with three runs batted in and a run scored. Lily Jimenez pitched into the fifth inning, allowing six runs, three earned, to pick up the win for the Pirates.
Ventura 13, Imperial Valley 6
In the first game of the day, the Pirates gave up three unearned runs in the top of the first, but began to battle back immediately. In the bottom half of the frame, Baylany Magana led off with a walk and moved to third when Dakota Moore singled. Moore moved to second on the throw to third on the play. Savanna Higgins and Shay each followed with RBI singles and the Pirates trailed 3-2.
VC then took control of the game with a four-run second. Erika Sanchez led off the inning reaching base on an error, then stole second. She moved to third on Jimenez's groundout. Sophia Valencia reached base on a fielder's choice before Sanchez scored on a wild pitch. Valencia then scored on Ba. Magana's triple. Moore made it to first base on an error then Higgins hit a sacrifice fly to score Magana. Shay followed with an RBI single to score Moore and VC held a 6-3 advantage.
The Pirates added another run in the third on Moore's squeeze bunt that scored Valencia, one more run in the fourth on Sanchez's RBI single scoring Jennie Jacinto, and in the fifth when Alyssa Castaneda singled to left to score Shay.
Imperial Valley did plate three runs in the top of the fifth but Ventura still led 9-6 after the frame.
Ventura added four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for good measure in the 13-6 win.
Ventura 4, Mt. San Jacinto 5
In the second game of the day, VC dropped a 5-4 decision to the host Eagles in extra innings.
The Pirates will travel to Chaffey College on Wednesday Feb. 26 for a double-header before hosting Victor Valley for two on Friday Feb. 28.