Ventura Edges Hancock 4-3 With Run in the Eighth

Shane Gipson had a two-run home run and Kaden Betsch had two hits with two RBI, including the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Ventura College baseball team edged Allan Hancock College 4-3 Thursday at Pirate Park. T.J. Durfee knocked out three hits in the game, scoring a run and Bryson Wallet added a double and scored twice, including the game-winner, for VC (14-9, 4-4).

Justin Friedman went 6.1 innings on the mound for Ventura, allowing three runs on four hits in the game. Kodi Koorndyk threw 1.1 innings of scoreless relief and David Hughes recorded the final out of the eighth inning to pick up his first win of the season. Jackson Hickert pitched the ninth inning to earn his first collegiate save.

VC took a 2-0 lead i the bottom of the third. Durfee singled to open the frame and Gipson homered to left field for the early lead for the Pirates.

Ventura added another run in the fourth inning. Wallet led off with a double, and went to third on Elijah Alexander's sacrifice. Betsch then knocked out a single scoring Wallet and VC led 3-0.

The Bulldogs came back to tie the game with single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, only one of which was earned.

With the score tied, the Pirates took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Wallet walked to lead things off and Alexander sacrificed him to second. Betsch then doubles to score Wallet, and the final margin was set.

The Pirates next host Santa Barbara on Saturday Mar 25 for a 1:00 pm contest.