Softball Splits Pair with LA Mission

The VC softball team came from behind to defeat LA Mission 4-3 in nine innings in game one of their doubleheader Saturday at the VC Softball Complex before seeing their 12-game winning streak come to an end 8-2 in game two against the Eagles. Jocelyn Ortega had five hits on the day scoring three runs, including two scores in the opener. Ashlyn Flinchum pitched a complete game in the opener with 12 strikeouts to pick up the victory for Ventura (17-3-1, 6-0).

Game one was a thriller between soCal's No. 6-ranked Pirates and the No. 10-ranked Eagles. VC took a 1-0 lead in the second, only to see LAMC tie the game in the fourth. In the ninth inning, Mission plated a pair of runs before Ventura came back with three in the bottom half of the frame to walk off with the win.

Ortega singled to open the bottom of the second for the Pirates, Isabella Ayala sacrificed her to second before Mia Guerrero hit a two-out RBI single for the 1-0 VC advantage.

A hit-by-pitch and a walk set up the Eagles' rally in the fourth as they tied the game. Flinchum struck out the final batter of the inning with two runners on base to prevent more damage.

The teams remained scoreless from that point moving the game into extra innings where LAMC struck first.

A walk and a HBP once again put Mission in place to score, and they delivered a two-out double to take a 3-1 advantage headed to the bottom half of the inning.

Isabel Gallegos started the Pirate rally reaching first on an error in left field. Ortega then singled before Flinchum grounded out to first base to advance the runners. Guerrero followed with a single to score Gallegos and put Ortega on third. Alexis Carillo pinch ran for Guerrero and promptly stole second, putting the winning run in scoring position. Maggie Howe followed with a walk to load the bases before Ciana Garcia hit a walk-off double to right-center to bring home the game-tying and winning scores.

Flinchum was solid in the pitcher's circle, scattering three hits over nine innings and striking out 12.

The deuces were wild in game two of the twin bill as the teams combined for five "two's" on the line score in VC's 8-2 setback.

Mission got going early, posting a two-spot in the top of the first.

Ventura answered with two runs in the bottom of the second to tie the game. Gallegos led off by reaching first on an error and Ortega followed with a single, moving Gallegos top third. Ayala grounded out to first to score Gallegos, and Flinchum then hit an RBI double to score Ortega.

It was all Mission from that point, however, as the Eagles put up two runs each in the third, fourth and fifth innings for the final 8-2 margin.

Ortega had a pair of hits and scored a run in the game while Flinchum had two hits with a double and an RBI.

Morgan Albertsen was the pitcher of record for the Pirates, throwing into the fifth inning. Guerrero came on in relief, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings. 

Ventura next hosts Santa Ana on Monday March 27 before resuming Western State Conference play on Tuesday March 28 at Los Angeles Pierce College.