VC Baseball Sweeps Oxnard in Double-Header

The Ventura College baseball team swept a double-header at Oxnard on Wednesday, defeating the Condors 6-1 and 7-1. Jake Read pitched a seven-inning complete game shutout in the opener while the Pirate bullpen hurled five scoreless innings in relief in the nightcap. Anthony Chavez carried the big bat for VC with four hits, including two doubles and a home run, and five runs batted in on the day. Chase McBean scored four runs from his lead-off position in the two games.

Ventura 6, Oxnard 1, 7 Innings

The Pirates defeated the Condors 6-1 in Game 1 of the twin-bill in Oxnard. Read was solid on the hill, throwing a complete game, scattering three hits and giving up the one run. He struck out six Condors in picking up the victory.

Elijah Maris had a pair of hits at the plate, scoring one run and driving in another. Chavez hit a double and recorded two RBI while McBean scored twice after drawing a pair of walks.

VC got on the board quickly, scoring two runs in the top of the first. McBean walked, JR Godinez singled, and Maris was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Max Baldaccini was also hit by a pitch to score McBean from third, and one out later Chavez hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Godinez.

Ventura made it 3-0 with another run in the top of the fourth. McBean drew a two-out walk and went to second when Godinez reached on an error. Maris then had an RBI single to score McBean.

The Condors scored once in the sixth inning to narrow the gap, but Ventura responded with three insurance runs in the seventh. Maris led off with a single and moved to second on Baldaccini's sacrifice bunt. One out later Chavez, Ramon Torres and Casey Turturici hit back-to-back-to back RBI doubles for three runs and the final 6-1 margin.

Ventura 7, Oxnard 1

In the nightcap, VC raced to a 4-0 lead after three innings and never looked back in the triumph. Max Flame allowed just one run in four innings of work in the start for the Pirates, yielding two hits and three walks while striking out a pair of Condors. Dawson Radik, Trevor Foster, Oscar Magana, Travis Nelson and Josiah Blatt combined for five scoreless innings in relief. 

Chavez was 3-5 with a double and a home run, recording a pair of RBI and scoring a run. McBean and Godinez each had two hits and scored two runs and Maris also scored twice with two RBI.

The Pirates got on the board first when Chavez hit a solo shot in the top of the second inning.

In the third, VC plated three more scores. McBean and Godinez led off the inning with singles, moving into scoring position on an error. Maris followed with a single to score two. He then advanced to second and third on an error, scoring on Baldaccini's sacrifice fly for a 4-0 Ventura advantage.

Oxnard scored in in the bottom half of the fourth before the Pirates responded with two runs in the top of the fifth. As he had done all day, McBean led off by getting to first base, this time via a single, and he moved to second on a wild pitch. McBean stole third when Maris walked, and scored on another wild pitch. Maris then stole third base and scored on Baldaccini's second sacrifice fly of the game.

Ventura added another run in the seventh inning for good measure. Godinez singles and Baldaccini walked before Chavez hit a one-out double to score a run, setting the final score.

The Pirates return home on Friday May 21 to host the Condors in another double header beginning at 12:00 pm.