Pirates let late lead slip in Extra Inning Setback

The VC baseball team carried a four-run lead into the eighth inning Thursday, but Moorpark rallied for an 8-6 victory in 10 innings at Pirate Park. Hector Pina had three hits and scored a run for Ventura and Grant Rodriguez generated a pair of base knocks with two runs batted in. Starting pitcher Will Kaczynski had another strong outing, giving up a pair of runs through six innings, striking out 10 Raiders in the no-decision on the hill. 

The decisive swing came after the Raiders erased a 6-2 deficit with four runs in the eighth, then pushed across two more in the 10th before holding Ventura scoreless in the bottom half of the frame.

The Pirates set the tone early. VC scored two runs in the first inning, then added another in the second to build a 3-0 advantage. The Raiders chipped away with single runs in the fourth and fifth, trimming the margin to 3-2, before Ventura answered with a three-run seventh that appeared to put the game in control at 6-2.

That cushion did not hold. Moorpark broke through for four runs in the eighth to tie the game at 6-6, extending a back-and-forth afternoon that lasted 10 innings.

Ventura totaled 10 hits and 10 walks but stranded 15 runners in the game

Ventura got a strong start from Kaczynski, who worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits while striking out 10 and walking two over 88 pitches. At the plate, Grant Rodriguez led the Pirates' notable offensive efforts, going 2 for 5 with two RBI. Pina collected three hits and scored a run while James Luderer had a single with two walks, scoring a pair of runs.

VC will travel to Cuesta on Friday Apr. 17 before hosting Oxnard on Saturday Arp. 18 at 1:00 pm.