Middle Relief, 7-Run Inning Leads VC Past Pierce

The Pirate baseball team used a strong performance by their middle relievers and posted a seven-spot in the sixth inning to roll past Los Angeles Pierce 15-11 Friday at Pirate Park. Ben Drumheller, one of five relievers to not allow a run, earned the victory on the mound with 1.2 perfect innings of work. Offensively, Peter Dufau, Mason Reid and Jacob Tostado all had a pair of hits with two runs batted in and Bryce Elias knocked in three runs in the victory for Ventura (15-15, 7-10).

The Brahmas struck first with a run in the top of the first and VC answered with four in the bottom of the second. Dufau singled and Aaron McLeod walked before Tostado was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Elias came through and cleared the bases with a three-RBI double and moved to third on Reid's bunt to the pitcher. After Mitchell Collins walked, both runners moved ahead 90 feet on an error with Elias scoring VC's fourth run of the frame.

Pierce then put up six runs in the top of the third to take a 7-4 advantage. Wilson Spinks came in from the bullpen with two outs in the third inning and, after giving up a pair of hits and allowing an inherited runner to score, retired the side to begin the Pirates' bullpen run, including a 1-2-3 fourth.

Ventura came back with four runs in the bottom half of the fourth frame. Collins led off with a double and, one out later, David King walked. After the second out of the inning, Dufau doubled home the two runners and McLeod drew a base on balls. The runners advanced a base on a wild pitch before Tostado's single scored two more for the Pirates. 

Drumheller came on to pitch for VC with two on and one out in the fifth, inducing an inning-ending double play. He also pitched a 1-2-3 sixth with a pair of K's to be credited with the win.

The Pirates broke the game wide open with a seven-spot in the bottom of the sixth. Haiden Letzing led off with a walk and stole second. King struck out, but went to first on a passed ball and Dylan Jackson also drew a base on balls to load the diamond. One out later, Evan DeVally hit a pinch-hit double to knock in Letzing and King, and Jackson scored on an error on the play. DeVally then moved to third on a wild pitch and Tostado walked before stealing second and allowing DeVally to score. Elias then walked and the two runners advanced after a pitching change on a passed ball before Reid's double plated another two runs. Collins followed with a walk as Reid stole third and scored on an error for the 15-7 Pirate advantage.

Harrison Cordeiro, Toby Gleeson-Payne and Nolan Moreau completed VC's run of middle-relief success throwing scoreless seventh and eighth innings. Pierce scored four in the top of the ninth but were unable to get close as the Pirates won 15-11.

VC begins the fourth and final round of Western State Conference play on Tuesday April 16 hosting Moorpark at Pirate Park.