Pirates Score First, Fall at Allan Hancock

The VC baseball team grabbed an early lead Tuesday at Hancock, but could not hold on in their 10-5 setback against the Bulldogs in Santa Maria. Grant Rodriguez hit a pair of doubles and scored two runs and Hector Pina hit a single and a double with one run batted in and a pair of runs scored to lead Ventura (15-17, 8-8).

VC went in front 1-0 in the top of the second, only to see AHC turn the game with a three-run bottom half. That inning set the tone for the rest of the day. The Bulldogs added two runs in the fourth, two more in the fifth, two in the sixth and another in the seventh to build a 10-2 advantage before Ventura made one last push late.

The Pirates chipped away with a run in the fourth, trimming the deficit to 3-2 at the time, but Allan Hancock kept producing timely hits. 

Ventura collected nine hits and drew enough offense to stay within reach for much of the game, but Hancock's steady scoring pressure proved difficult to contain. 

Rodriguez went 2-for-5 at the plate with a couple of extra base hits, scoring twice. Pina also recorded two base hits with two runs scored an an RBI. Daniel Banuelos came off the bench to single and score a run. 

The Pirates mounted their best rally in the top of the eighth, scoring three times to cut the margin to 10-5 and avoid going quietly. Ventura also finished with three doubles, two sacrifice hits and a stolen base, but the comeback stalled before the deficit could shrink further as Allan Hancock held on the rest of the way.

The Pirates and Bulldogs will continue their three-game set on Thursday Apr. 9 at Pirate Park.