Ventura’s Late Offense Not Enough in WSC Opener at Pierce

The Ventura College baseball team mounted multiple late-inning rallies but could not overcome a big early deficit in a 16-8 road loss to Los Angeles Pierce Wednesday in Woodland Hills. Matthew Ramirez had a pair of hits with a run batted in and a run scored and Brandon Contreras smacked a three-run home run but it was not enough for the Pirates to overtake the Brahmas in the Western State Conference opener.

Pierce seized control from the outset, striking for five runs in the first inning to immediately put the Pirates in a hole. The Brahmas added four more in the fourth to stretch the margin to 9-0, capitalizing on traffic on the bases and timely hitting to build what proved to be an insurmountable lead. Ventura, meanwhile, was held to just two hits through the first six innings and spent most of the afternoon playing from behind.

The Pirates finally broke through in the sixth, pushing across its first run to make it 9-1 and spark some life into the dugout. That momentum carried into the seventh, when VC put together its best offensive frame of the day. Ventura scored four times in the top half, highlighted by a three-run bomb from Contreras that helped cut the deficit to 9-5 and briefly shifted pressure back onto the Brahmas' pitching staff.

Any thoughts of a full comeback, however, were quickly answered in the bottom of the seventh. LAPC responded with a seven-run inning, rebuilding its cushion to 16-5 and effectively deciding the contest. Ventura's pitching staff was forced to navigate constant traffic, as LA Pierce finished with 16 runs on 14 hits and 11 walks. All 16 of the Brahmas' runs were earned as the Pirates used four pitchers in an effort to contain a deep lineup.

Offensively, Ventura continued to compete to the final out. The Pirates added three more runs in the ninth, closing the gap to 16-8 and finishing the day with eight runs on eight hits and 11 walks. Contreras was the key run producer, going deep and driving in three, helping VC cash in on some of its late baserunners. Ramirez had a pair of hits in the game and Hector Pina scored twice. James Luderer and Santiago Avila also recorded an RBI in the game for VC.

Playing around inclement weather all week, Ventura will host the Brahmas for a double-header on Saturday Feb. 21 to complete the three-game series. The first game is slated to begin at 10:00 am.