Zane Chittenden and Jacob Harris each homered Friday as the Pirates defeated Cerro Coso 7-2 in Ridgecrest. Jackson Hickert started on the mound, pitching six solid innings, yielding two runs while striking out four to record the win. Chittenden had three runs batted in and scored twice and Brian guy had two hits, including a triple, with two RBI and a run scored. Gabe Baldovino had a double and scored two runs for the Pirates (2-2).
The day had an auspicious beginning when the umpires for the scheduled double header did not show up to the game. After finding a local official, the teams took the field after a two hour delay for a rescheduled one-game day.
The teams were scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when the Pirates broke through. AJ Medrano and Chittenden led off with walks, and Junior Sandoval sacrificed them ahead 90 feet. Guy followed with a 2-RBI triple, then scored on Hunter Klingelhoffer's ground ball.
Harris homered to lead off the fifth inning, then Chittenden blasted a 2-out, 2-run shot that also scored Baldovino, who had reached base on a fielder's choice.
The Coyotes plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth to narrow the gap to 6-2 before VC added an insurance run in the ninth. Baldovino doubled, then Chittenden knocked him in while reaching base on an error for the final 7-2 margin.
Travis Weston finished the game on the hill with three perfect innings in relief. He struck out three batters in the process.
VC next plays at Barstow on Saturday Feb. 2. First pitch in the high desert is slated for 11:00 am.