Big Innings Power VC in Doubleheader Sweep Over PIerce

The VC baseball team swept a double header Saturday at Pirate Park against Los Angelees Pierce College, 6-2 and 11-7. Tyler Field led the effort with two doubles, a home run and four runs batted in on the day for the Pirates (7-8, 2-1) and Hector Pina recorded a pair of two-baggers with three RBI. Will Kaczynski pitched five scoreless innings to pick up the win in Game 1 and Alex Villacana gave up one run over 2.2 innings of middle relief for the victory in the nightcap.

A five-run outburst in the sixth inning broke open a Game 1 and lifted Ventura to a 6-2 victory over the Brahmas.

Clinging to a 1-0 lead, the Pirates finally created separation in the sixth with a string of extra-base damage. Pina delivered the decisive blow with a two-run double as the Pirates sent nine batters to the plate in the frame. Brandon Contreras and Field also ripped doubles during the inning, and RBIs went to Pina, Grant Rodriguez and Field as VC turned a one-run edge into a 6-0 advantage.

Ventura had scratched across the game's first score in the third inning when Aiden Nykoluk drove in a run to give the Pirates an early 1-0 cushion. That single tally stood up for several innings thanks to a dominant start from right-hander Kaczynski, who limited LAPC to two hits over five scoreless frames. Kaczynski struck out six and walked two, keeping Pierce off balance and protecting the slim lead until the offense finally broke through late.

Reliever Nicholas Tostado closed out the final two innings to earn the save. Tostado allowed one hit and two unearned runs over his two innings, but he finished the outing to lock down the win.

Offensively, Ventura made the most of its four hits, pairing timely contact with patience at the plate. The Pirates drew four walks and left just three runners on base, capitalizing on their scoring chances in the sixth. Pina finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Contreras went 1-for-2 with a double and a run. Field added a run-scoring double as Ventura's extra-base surge proved to be the difference.

VC used a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the fifth inning to erase an early deficit and defeat LA Pierce 11-7 in Saturday's second contest.

The Pirates trailed 6-1 after the Brahmas put together a four-run top of the fourth, but Ventura immediately began to chip away with three runs in the bottom half to close the gap to 6-4. An inning later, the offense broke the game open. Ventura sent 11 batters to the plate in the fifth, stringing together timely hits and capitalizing on traffic on the bases to seize an 11-6 lead that it would not surrender.

Field powered the middle of the order, finishing 2-for-5 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored to pace VC's 11-hit, 11-run attack. His long ball highlighted the decisive fifth inning, where the Pirates consistently found gaps and pressured the Brahma bullpen. Nate Lajole added two hits, two runs and three RBIs, while James Luderer chipped in a run-scoring triple as part of his two-RBI day, giving the Pirates three primary run producers in the heart of the lineup.

Ventura's comeback was necessary after LA Pierce controlled the early stages. The Brahmas scored single runs in the first and third innings, then erupted for four in the fourth to build a 6-1 cushion. The Brahmas finished with 12 hits, including four doubles and a triple, but stranded seven runners and could not answer Ventura's fifth-inning surge.

Relievers Villacana and Johnny Levelis held the line for VC on the mound. Villacana worked 2.2 innings, allowing just one earned run, to bridge the middle frames and keep the Pirates within striking distance. Levelis then closed the door, tossing three scoreless innings to earn the save. He faced the tying run only briefly as he scattered LA Pierce's final threats over the late innings, recording the final nine outs without allowing the Brahmas back on the scoreboard.

The Pirates will face Moorpark in a three-game set beginning on Tuesday Feb. 24 on the road. VC will host the Raiders on Thursday Feb. 26 at 2:00 pm.