Pirates pull away early, top Cuesta in five innings

The VC softball team controlled the game at Cuesta from the opening inning and never let the Cougars back in, rolling to a 9-1 victory in five innings Thursday in San Luis Obispo. Erika Sanchez doubled and homered, knocking in three runs and scoring another to lead the Pirates (17-16-1, 9-0) and Emma Estrella shut down Cuesta from the circle, allowing one run and striking out seven in the complete-game win.

The Pirates scored four times in the first, added runs in each of the next three innings and backed the fast start with a complete-game effort from Estrella.

The decisive stretch came immediately. Ventura opened a 4-0 lead in the first inning, then extended the margin to 5-0 in the second and 8-0 in the third. By the time both teams scored in the fourth, the Pirates had built a nine-run cushion and were in position to close out the afternoon early.

Ventura finished with 12 hits and three walks, getting production throughout the lineup. Sanchez led the way with two hits and three RBI. Samantha Soto added two hits, scored three runs and drove in two, while Zayra Landeros went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Isabella Padilla also contributed an RBI pair for Ventura, which took advantage of steady traffic on the bases all game.

Estrella handled the rest in the circle. She worked all five innings, allowed one run on six hits, walked three and struck out seven to earn the win. Cuesta left 10 runners on base, and Estrella consistently worked out of trouble to limit any chance of a rally. 

VC returns to action on Tuesday Apr. 14 hosting Moorpark at the VC Softball Complex. The Pirates sit atop the Western State Conference North Division standings while the Raiders are in second place, a game back of Ventura. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm.