Jacinto's late home run not enough for Pirates

Pirate catcher Jennie Jacinto hit a 3-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but her heroics were not enough as the Pirate softball team dropped a 6-5 decision to Cuesta Thursday at the VC Softball Complex. Savanna Higgins contributed a pair of hits, a run scored an a run batted in and Kiara Harrison also had two hits and scored a run for Ventura. Chelsea Trejo limited the Cougars to six earned runs in the setback from the pitcher's circle.

Cuesta took a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the third and added two more scores in the fifth inning.

In between, Ventura scored once in the bottom of the fourth. Higgins led off with a single and stole second. One out later she moved to third on Trejo's single, the came home when Kaliona Hernandez hit an RBI single.

The Pirates were down 5-1 entering the bottom of the sixth when Alexyss Campos reached first base on an error in right field, moving all the way to third base. Higgins followed with a sacrifice fly to push Campos home.

Unfortunately, the Cougars added an insurance run in the top of the seventh.

Down 6-2 in the bottom half of the frame, VC rallied. With two outs, Alyssa Jacinto reached first base on an error. Harrison singled before J. Jacinto cleared the bases with a 3-run home run. Cuesta then retired the Pirates to set the 6-5 margin.

The Pirates return to action on Monday March 18 and Tuesday March 19, traveling to Santa Barbara and Moorpark, respectively, for Western State Conference games.