Pirates Take WSC Opener Over Moorpark

Behind a complete game by sophomore pitcher Cooper Smith, the VC baseball team won its Western State Conference opener 9-1 over Moorpark at Pirate Park. Smith scattered eight hits and gave up one earned run while striking out six against the Raiders. Reiss Calvin had a pair of hits, including a double, with three runs batted in and Andrew Savage also knocked in three with a pair of hits. Yuki Kawashima had a double with three runs scored.

Smith faced one batter over the minimum through the first six innings of play. VC (5-8, 1-0) allowed a baserunner in the second inning on an error, but doubled the Raiders up with the next batter. MC followed with a double, leaving a runner stranded at second. Smith also allowed a one-out single in the top of the fourth, but he induced a double-play ball with the next batter to get out of the inning.

Meanwhile, Ventura's offense got on a slow and steady roll through the middle innings. The Pirates scored their first run in the bottom of the third when Calvin doubled home Kawashima, who earned a two-out walk.

VC doubled their edge in the fourth. Mason Reid was hit by a pitch to open the frame, then went to second and third on two wild pitches. Haiden Letzing followed with an RBI single for the 2-0 advantage.

Ventura doubled the lead again in the fifth. Connor Hickey was hit by a pitch with one out, and moved to third on Reid's single. Hickey scored on a double-steal with Hickey moving to second before Letzing grounded out to the right side to move Hickey to third. Savage then hit an RBI single and the Pirates led 4-0 after five complete.

As Smith continued to mow down Raiders from the mound late into the game, VC all but put the game away with a four-run eighth. Calvin hit a two-run home run scoring Kawashima, and Savage hit a two-run single, scoring Hickey and Reid, who reached base on an error and a walk, respectively. 

With the nine-run cushion, Smith saved the VC bullpen by finishing off the ninth.  The Raiders plated one run in the frame, and recorded four of their eight hits, but the Pirate hurler finished the job for the 9-1 victory.

Reid ended the game with three runs scored and a hit while Hickey scored twice with a hit and an RBI. Letzing was 2-4 in the game with an RBI as well.

Ventura continues the series at Moorpark on Wednesday Feb. 22 with a 2:00 pm first pitch.