Ventura Blanks Santa Monica, Completes First Round of WSC

The VC softball team easily defeated Santa Monica 11-0 Thursday at the VC Softball Complex to complete the first round of Western State Conference play. Isabella Ayala and Isabel Gallegos each went yard as the Pirates (21-9, 5-1) scored eight runs in the bottom of the fourth to set-up the run-rule victory. Ashlyn Flinchum, Morgan Albertsen and Kat Tafoya shared duties in the pitcher's circle no-hitting the Corsairs in the triumph.

Ventura got on the board in the bottom of the first when Gallegos hit a two-run home run for the early lead.

Ayala led off the second with another round-tripper as the Pirates expanded the advantage to 3-0.

VC broke the game open with an eight-spot in the fourth frame. Ayala led off with a triple and scored on Jocelyn Ortega's sacrifice fly. Albertsen singled and Ashley Perez was hit by a pitch. Ahlyssa Guzman singled to load the bases, then Lauren Albrent cleared the diamond with a three-RBI triple. Gallegos singled Albrent home, and one out later, Abby Strong singled moving Gallegos to third. After Strong stole second, Ayala reached base on an error resulting in two more Ventura runs, and Albertsen reached base on an error to score Ayala, setting the final margin.

Ayala was 2-3, including a home run and a triple, with three RBI and three runs scored while Gallegos went 2-2 with a home run and a walk, knocking in three and scoring two runs. Albrent also totaled three RBI on the day.

Flinchum was dominant for two innings, striking out five and Albertsen had three K's over two frames. Tafoya struck out the side in the top of the fifth to secure the victory.

The Pirates travel to Cerritos for a double-header on Friday April 1 before returning home to play Pasadena on Saturday April 2 at 12:00 pm.