The Pirate baseball team rallied in the top of the ninth inning to post a 6-3 victory at Los Angeles Pierce College Friday in Woodland Hills. Peter Dufau hit a solo home run in VC's final at-bat to begin the three-run frame for the margin of victory. Mason Reid had a two-RBI triple and David King belted out three hits, including a double, with one run batted in. Anthony Cuevas scattered seven hits over six innings on the mound, giving up one run in his quality start for Ventura (19-18, 11-13).
Ventura took the early lead with a two-out rally in the second inning. Haiden Letzing and Evan DeVally each hit singles before Reid cleared the bases with a two-run triple.
The Pirates scored another run in the third with a key two-out hit. Jackson hit a one-out single, and after the second out of the frame, Bryce Elias reached base with a single. Letzing followed with an RBI single to score Jackson for a 3-0 VC advantage.
The Brahmas came back with a run in the bottom of the sixth and scored two more off the Pirate bullpen in th seventh to knot the score at 3-3.
In the top of the ninth, Dufau hit a one-out home run to give the Pirates the lead. Elias singled, then stole second after the second out of the inning followed by a base on balls by Aaron McLeod. Reid then drew another walk to load the bases to force a pitching change for LAPC. Yuki Kawashima then walked in a run and King had an RBI single to set the final margin.
The Pirates finish the Western State Conference North Division season at 11-13 in fourth place alone after Moorpark's loss against Santa Barbara. VC will close the regular season maintaining their slim playoff hopes at Compton on Saturday April 27.