The Ventura College baseball team scored six runs in the final two innings, but could not overcome deficits of 6-1 and 10-3 with their four-run ninth inning falling short in thee 10-7 decision at Glendale on Saturday. JR Godinez had three hits, including a double, with a run scored and two runs batted in and Yeongjun Jang also produced three hits while scoring a run. Cooper Smith started and pitched five innings, giving up three earned runs while striking out five batters.
Jang led off the game with a double and, two outs later, scored when Casey Turturici reached base on an error for a 1-0 Ventura edge.
The Vaqueros came back with two runs in the bottom half of the frame, however, and would maintain the lead for the remainder of the game.
Glendale scored one more run in the third, and plated three scores in the bottom of the third to take control of the game, 6-1.
VC's offense showed some signs of life in the top of the eighth inning. Reiss Calvin led off with a double and John Oleson was hit by a pitch. The two moved ahead 90 feet on a wild pitch before Calvin scored on a throwing error by the catcher, moving Oleson to third. Turturici followed with a groundout to the right side of the infield to score Oleson and Ventura trailed 6-3.
Glendale responded to the Pirates' advance with four more runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it 10-3 headed to the final frame.
Ventura continued to press, however, scoring four runs in their final at bat. Anthony Arancibia-Mundy led off with a walk and Ramon Torres reached base on an error. Godinez followed with a two-RBI double. Gage Allen then walked and Calvin singled to load the bases. Godinez scored on a wild pitch and Allen scored on Oleson's sacrifice fly before the side was retired to end the game.
Calvin finished with two hits and a run scored while Turturici had a hit with an RBI. Oleson scored a run and knocked in another. On the mound, Dawson Radik had 1.1 innings of scoreless relief.
The Pirates will next head to Glendora on Tuesday Feb. 8 to take on the Citrus Owls. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm.