Baseball's Offense Not Enough in 9-8 Extra-Inning Loss

Some say it's just J.C. baseball.  The Pirates exploded for five runs in the fourth inning, and three more in the eighth.  They recorded 15 hits and seven different players scored a run.  But it was not enough as they lost 9-8 in 10 innings at Los Angeles Pierce College Saturday in Woodland Hills.  It's J.C. baseball.

Tony Fonzo led the Pirate offense with four hits in five at bats, two RBI and a run scored in th loss. Bradley Fullerton was 2-5 with a pair of runs batted in and he scored once while Michael Volaski and Adam Maciel each had two hits, one RBI and one run scored.

The Brahmas scored once in the first and third innings to take a 2-0 lead.  VC responded with five in the top of the fourth to take a 5-2 advantage.

The inning opened with consecutive singles by Fonzo and Codi Santana.  Maciel also hit a single that scored Fonzo, and Volaski reached base when his sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in a throwing error by the pitcher.  Santana scored on the play while Maciel ended up at third and Volaski at second. After an out, Jordan Simon singled in two runs. Greg Minier followed with a walk, and following a double steal, Simon scored on Fullerton's groundout.

Pierce responded with four runs in the bottom half of the frame to take a 6-5 lead, and they expanded it to 8-5 with a pair of runs in the seventh inning.

Ventura was able to tie the score with three runs in the top half of the eighth, all with two outs.  Simon started the rally with a walk, and Minier followed with a base hit. Fullerton followed with a single, scoring Simon, and Dylan Colman walked to load the bases.  Then Fonzo capped the comeback with an RBI that scored both Minier and Fullerton, tying the score at 8-8.

The game remained tied until the Brahmas walked off with a run in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Minier started on the mound, throwing three innings.  Taylor Campos and Alex Van Es followed with relief appearances before Adisson Pelupessy finished the game for the Pirates.

 Ventura will travel to San Luis Obispo on Tuesday April 14 to take on Cuesta College, before returning home on Thursday April 16 to finish the season series with the Cougars.  Both games are scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm.