Ventura Drops Conference Opener at Cuesta

The Pirate baseball team traveled to San Luis Obispo on Tuesday, falling to Cuesta 8-3 in their Western State Conference North Division opener. Omar Gastelum had three hits, including a double, and one run batted in while Tommy Gibbons-Matsuyama doubled and scored a run. Hunter Klingelhoffer and Alejandro Soto each singled and scored a run and Anthony Chavez had an RBI single for Ventura (5-6, 0-1).

The day got off to a good start after the long drive when the Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Gibbons-Matsuyama doubled to lead off the game and Gabe Baldovino was hit by a pitch. Gastelum followed with an RBI double. VC could have scored more, however, as they left the frame with the bases loaded.

VC gave up an unearned run in the third inning as the Cougars tied the score at 1-1. Cuesta then took a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out triple and a balk.

The Pirates retook the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Klingelhoffer, who reached base on an HBP, scored from third base on an error by the pitcher. Then Soto,who got on with a single, scored on Chavez's RBI single. Both runs came across with two outs.

Unfortunately for VC, they could not hold on in the end, allowing two runs in the seventh and four more in the eighth to set the final 8-3 margin.

Travis Nelson got te start on the hill for the Pirates, pitching into the seventh, allowing four runs, three earned. Noah Bullard pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

Ventura closes their two-game set with the Cougars at home on Thursday Feb. 20. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm at Pirate Park.