Pirate Softball Drops a Pair of 1-Run Games

The Ventura College softball team dropped a pair of 1-run games Friday at the VC Softball Complex, falling 2-1 to Mt. San Jacinto and 1-0 against Imperial Valley. Baylany Magana had a strong performance from the circle, pitching a combined 11 innings on the day, giving up three runs, two earned, while striking out eight batters. Unfortunately, the VC offense did not follow in the two narrow setbacks.

A two-run fourth inning by Mt. San Jacinto in the opener proved to be the difference as VC dropped a 2-1 decision.

Ventura responded with a run in the fifth to cut the deficit in half but could not find the tying hit over the final two innings.

Pirate starter Magana turned in a strong complete-game effort in the loss, keeping VC within striking distance from start to finish. She went 7.0 innings, allowing just five hits and two runs while striking out six and walking three. 

Offensively, the Pirates matched the Eagles with five hits and generated their best chance in the bottom of the fifth. Samantha Soto and Magana put together back-to back singles with two outs to put runners at the corners.  Ventura then succesfully put together the double steal with Magana stealing second and Soto scoring on the play to make it 2-1 and bring the go-ahead run to the plate.

Ventura continued to pressure late, including against the Eagles' bullpen, but stranded six runners on the day.

VC then dropped a 1-0 pitchers' duel to Imperial Valley in the nightcap.

The Desert Warriors broke through with a single unearned run in the top of the third and that proved to be the difference in a game dominated by pitching.

Magana again kept the Pirates in the game throughout her four-inning outing, allowing just two hits and one unearned run, striking out two and walking two in the loss.

Offensively, Ventura collected three hits but could not string together enough traffic to push across the tying run. The Pirates had only two runners left on base, reflecting a limited number of scoring opportunities.

The Pirates next travel to Long Beach on Tuesday Mar. 3 before opening Western State Conference play at Santa Monica on Thursday Mar. 5.