Pirate Baseball Drops Pair in Bakersfield

The Ventura College baseball team traveled to Bakersfield Saturday and dropped a pair of games to the Renegades, 7-4 and 11-4. Anthony Chavez had three hits, including a pair of doubles, while scoring four runs with a run batted in to lead VC.

Ventura 4, Bakersfield 7

In Game 1 of the twin-bill, the Pirates dropped a 7-4 decision. Joseph Wiersma took the loss on the mound, pitching into the fifth inning while giving up seven runs on eight hits.Anthony Betancourt finished out the fifth while Travis Nelson and Trevor Foster pitched a scoreless sixth in the seven-inning affair.

Ventura took an early lead with a run in the third. Chavez drew a one-out walk and moved to second on the next out. JR Godinez singled Chavez to third before stealing second. Elijah Maris walked, then Chavez scored on a passed ball.

The Renegades countered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame, and they scored two more in the fourth. 

VC pulled to within 4-3 with two scores in the top of the fifth. Chavez led off with a walk and stole second. He then moved to third base on a wild pitch and Chase McBean drew a base on balls. McBean then stole second, moving to third on a throwing error as Chavez scored. Godinez then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score McBean.

BC pulled away with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 7-3 advantage.

The Pirates plated one more score in the sixth inning when Chavez singled home Casey Turturici, but it was not enough as Bakersfield won 7-4.

Ventura 4, Bakersfield 11

The Pirates had another early lead in the nightcap, but it was short-lived as Bakersfield came back for the 11-4 victory. It was a staff-game for the Ventura pitchers as seven different hurlers saw action on the hill.

VC got off to a good start when McBean singled to open the game. He advanced 90 feet twice on ground ball outs before scoring on Garrick Levesque's double.

Bakersfield came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning and another score in the third.

VC tallied an unearned run in the fourth on a two-out rally. Julien Monks singled after a pair of Pirates were retired, and advanced to third when Ramon Torres reached base on an error. Monks then scored when Connor Laeng reached base on an error to make it 3-2 for the Renegades.

BC broke the game open with three runs in the bottom half of the fourth, and added two more in the fifth and another in the sixth.

Ventura scored in the seventh when Chavez, who doubled to start the frame, scored on a groundout by Maris.  

The Pirates added another score in the ninth. Chavez hit his second double of the game and stole third base. He scored on a pinch-hit single by Isaiah Leon for the final 11-4 margin.

Ventura continues Western State Conference play on Wednesday May 19 with a double-header at Oxnard College.