Andrew Savage hit a solo home run Thursday at Riverside, but that was the only offense the Pirate baseball team could generate in their 7-1 setback. Connor Hickey totaled a pair of hits, including a double and Gage Allen hit a single as Ventura (4-6) was limited to four hits on the day. Cooper Smith started on the mound, giving up three earned runs over five innings of work.
Ventura fell behind early as the Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the first and added another score in the second after a two-out error.
Smith then settled in to retire seven of the next eight batters before giving up a lead-off double in the fifth. Smith then induced a pair of ground ball outs, but the run scored and RCC led 4-0 after five innings.
The Tigers plated two more runs in the bottom of the sixth before Savage got VC on the board with his lead-off solo shot to left field in the top of the seventh.
Riverside added another score in the eight inning to set the final 7-1 margin.
The Pirates return home to finish the two-game set with the Tigers on Friday Feb. 17. First pitch at Pirate park is slated for 2:00 pm.