Seven-Run Eighth Lifts VC Baseball Over Oxnard

The Pirate baseball team scored seven runs in the bottom of the eighth Tuesday to turn pull away from Oxnard 14-9 at Pirate Park. Haiden Letzing delivered a two-RBI double in the frame as VC added to its two-run seventh to come from behind for the win. Yuki Kawashima had three hits and scored twice to lead Ventura (7-12, 3-4) and Mason Reid had a pair of doubles with two runs batted in and three runs scored. Hunter Jones pitched four innings in relief, giving up three earned runs to pick up the win.

The Pirates scored two in the bottom of the first inning when Letzing hit a two-RBI single, knocking in Reiss Calvin, who led off the inning with a single, and Kawashima, who reached base on an error.

Gage Allen hit an RBI-single in the third inning, scoring Bryce Elias for a 3-0 Ventura advantage.

The Condors evened the score with three runs in the top of the fourth, and VC answered with two in the bottom half of the frame. Reid reached base on an error to lead off the inning and moved to second on a wild pitch. One out later, Andrew Savage hit an RBI double, then Elias drew a base on balls. Matthew Beach then hit a single to load the bases before Allen hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Savage. The Pirates led the COndors 5-3.

Oxnard followed up, taking the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth. VC went scoreless for the next two innings before beginning their comeback in the seventh.

After the seventh inning stretch, Kawashima hit a one-out single, racing around to score on Reid's double. Letzing walked prompting a pitching change, and Savage followed with a single. Reid then scored on the play on an error in the outfield. Ventura led 7-6 after the frame.

The Pirates then put the game away with more eighth-inning magic. Allen doubled to lead off and Connor Hickey walked. Calvin then hit an RBI double and Reid also hit an RBI double one out later. With runners at second and third, Letzing singled home two runs followed by a HBP for Savage and a walk for Caden Stillwell to load the diamond. Beach hit a sacrifice fly, then Allen reached first on an error as VC scored again for the 14-6 margin.

The Condors scored three runs in the top of the ninth, but VC pitcher Livio Bundi managed to retire the side to close the game out.

Wilson Spinks was solid in the start for Ventura, throwing four complete innings and yielding three runs to set up the Pirate victory.

Ventura will head to Oxnard for the second game of the three-game set on Thursday March 9. They return home to complete the series on Saturday March 11.