The VC baseball team dropped a road decision to Citrus Thursday in Glendora. The Pirates held a 7-5 lead in the middle of the fifth inning before the Owls exploded for 15 runs over the next three frames in the 20-10 defeat. Reiss Calvin, Connor Hickey and Andrew Savage all homered for VC (1-3) and Savage knocked in four runs. Calvin and Hickey each scored twice in the eight-inning contest.
The Pirates started off quickly, scoring twice in the top of the first inning. Calvin singled and stole second and Hickey followed with a walk. One out later, Haiden Letzing hit a potential double-play ball that was misplayed allowing him to run to second, pushing Calvin around to score and moving Hickey to third. Savage followed with a sacrifice fly to center to score Hickey for the 2-0 lead.
Citrus then scored on in the first, one in the second and three in the third to take a 5-2 advantage.
In the fifth inning, Calvin and Hickey hit back-to-back jacks to left and center, respectively. After a pitching change, Mason Reid walked and stole second. Letzing then reached base on a fielder's choice before Savage went yard for a 7-5 Pirate lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Owls reasserted control, sending 14 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs. Much of the damage was self-inflicted, however, as the Pirates had three fielding errors, two HBP's and a bases-loaded walk.
Citrus then scored five more runs in the sixth and another two in the seventh.
VC came back with three scores in the top of the eighth. Yuki Kawashima led off with a walk and Omar Santamaria singled. Tanner Rowe then hit a two-RBI double to centerfield and scored two batters later on a passed ball.
Ventura will host the Owls in the second game of the series on Saturday Feb. 4. First pitch at Pirate Park is scheduled for 1:00 pm.