Ventura walks off Santa Barbara 8-7 after ninth-inning rally

The VC baseball team survived a wild ninth inning and answered with the final run in the bottom half, beating Santa Barbara 8-7 on Tuesday at Pirate Park. After building a six-run lead, the Pirates watched Santa Barbara score five times in the top of the ninth to pull even at 7-7 before Ventura ended it with a walk-off run. Mario Franco recorded four hits, including a double, with a run batted in and a run scored. Meanwhile Johnny Levelis produced a quality start on the mound, working into the sixth inning and giving up one run.

The Pirates set the tone early with three runs in the first inning, then appeared to take command with a four-run sixth that stretched the margin to 7-1. Santa Barbara got on the board in the top of the sixth and added another run in the seventh, but Ventura still carried a 7-2 lead into the ninth. That cushion disappeared quickly when the Vaqueros broke through for five runs, turning a comfortable afternoon into a one-run game again, then a tie.

Ventura's offense did enough all day to withstand the rally. The Pirates finished with 13 hits and eight walks, creating traffic throughout the lineup. Franco led the way with a 4-for-5 day, scoring once and driving in a run. Grant Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, and Nate Lajole also drove in two runs while going 2 for 5 with a run scored. VC finished with eight runs on 13 hits, though the Pirates also left nine runners on base.

Levelis gave Ventura a strong start, working 5 2/3 innings and allowing one run on three hits. He struck out four and walked four, helping the Pirates control the game through the middle innings. Victor Tostado picked up the win in relief.

The Pirates and Vaqueros will continue their three-game series at Pershing Park in Santa Barbara on Thursday Mar. 26.