Softball Splits Friday Double Header

The VC softball team dropped the opener, but came back in the nightcap in a double header Friday against Southwestern. The Pirates fell 6-4 before coming back to win 8-3 against the Jaguars at the VC Softball Complex. Madison Shay had five hits and four runs batted in on the day and Baylany Magana recorded four hits and scored a pair of runs. Ba. Magana also pitched a complete game in the nightcap to pick up the victory in the circle.

Ventura took the early lead in the opener with a run in the bottom of the first. Ba. Magana singled to lead off the inning and stole second before heading to third on Dakota Moore's sacrifice. Shay followed with an RBI single for the 1-0 lead.

The Pirates doubled the margin in the third. Moore and Shay each singled before Aubrey Aguirre was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jennie Jacinto followed with a sacrifice fly to right to score Moore.

The Jaguars did most of their damage in the top of the fourth inning, scoring five runs on four hits, a walk and an error, all with two outs. They followed with another score in the fifth for an 8-2 advantage.

VC managed two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Aguirre drew a two-out walk and Jacinto followed with a home run to the fence in right field to set the final 6-4 margin.

Shay was 3-4 in the game with an RBI and Jacinto knocked in three runs total. Ba. Magana recorded a pair of hits with a run scored. 

Ventura turned the tables in the nightcap, recording an 8-3 win.

Shay began her stellar offensive game with an RBI single in the first inning scoring Moore, who had walked and stole second with one out.

The Pirates added three more runs in the bottom of the third. Savanna Higgins led off with a single and moved to second when Ba. Magana reached base on an error. Moore singled home Higgins before Shay walked to load the bases. One out later Jacinto singled home two runs for a 40 lead.

Southwestern answered with three runs in the top of the fourth, but the Pirates responded with two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings.

Shay hit a two-run home run in the fifth, scoring Moore on the play. In the sixth, Aguirre singled home Higgins and Ba. Magana for the final count.

Shay led the way with two hits and a walk with three RBI and two runs scored while Moore was 2-2 with a walk, one RBI and three runs scored. Higgins also had three hits, including a triple, with two runs scored in the Pirate victory.

Ba. Magana pitched a complete game, scattering five hits  and giving up three runs, all earned. She struck out five Jaguars in the game. 

Ventura (16-7, 4-1) returns to conference play on Tuesday Mar. 25 at Oxnard.