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VC Softball Takes Two to Advance in Playoffs

With their backs against the wall, the Pirate softball team won a thriller in Game 2 Saturday against El Camino, 3-2, before hitting the gas pedal in the nightcap, advancing to the Super regionals with a 13-0 triumph over the Warriors. Ventura (31-8-1) was carried on the mound by All-State pitcher Ashlyn Flinchum who went the distance in both games help secure the sweep.

Ventura ace Ashlyn Flinchum pitched a pair of complete games, giving up two runs over 12 innings of work as the Pirates swept past El Camino to advance in the SoCal Regional Playoffs 3-2 and 13-0 Saturday.
Ventura ace Ashlyn Flinchum pitched a pair of complete games, giving up two runs over 12 innings of work as the Pirates swept past El Camino to advance in the SoCal Regional Playoffs 3-2 and 13-0 Saturday.
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May 6, 2023

With their backs against the wall, the Pirate softball team won a thriller in Game 2 Saturday against El Camino, 3-2, before hitting the gas pedal in the nightcap, advancing to the Super regionals with a 13-0 triumph over the Warriors. Ventura (31-8-1) was carried on the mound by All-State pitcher Ashlyn Flinchum who went the distance in both games help secure the sweep.

The tension was thick in Saturday's opener as the Pirates had their backs against the wall following their setback in the series opener Friday.

VC was able to relax a bit, however, as they plated the contest's first run in the bottom of the third. Mia Guerrero and Morgan Albertsen led off with consecutive singles. One out later, Ahlyssa Guzman hit an RBI single to score Guerrero and Ventura led 1-0.

The Pirates followed that up with another score in the fourth. Jocelyn Ortega singled to open the frame, and went from first to third on a sacrifice bunt by Isabella Ayala. Flinchum followed with a sacrifice fly to left to score Ortega for the 2-0 VC edge.

Ventura added an insurance run in the fifth with the heart of the line-up.  With two outs, Lauren Albrent drew a walk. Isabel Gallegos followed with a long RBI double to push Albrent around the diamond for the 3-0 Pirate lead.

El Camino came back with two runs in the sixth, but Flinchum was able to hold the lead, getting the Warriors to hit a pop up to shirt and a grounder to third to end the inning with the potential tying run in scoring position.

The Warriors led off the top of the seventh with a walk and a single, but Ventura was able to retire the side to hold on for the 3-2 win forcing a deciding Game 3.

After dropping a coin toss and becoming the "visiting" team in the nightcap, the Pirates got on the board early. Gallegos hit an RBI single to score Guzman and VC led 1-0.

The flood gates opened for Ventura in the top of the second as they sent 15 batters to the plate and scored 10 runs for a commanding 11-0 lead over El Camino.

The Warriors stranded two runners in the second and third innings, but Flinchum and the VC defense continued to keep ECC off the board. 

Ventura scored on a double-steal and Flinchum had an RBI single to make it 13-0 headed to the bottom of the fifth.

VC closed the game and series victory with a fly ball out to centerfield and the celebration began.

The Pirates advance to the Super Regional for the first time in the series-play era and for the second time in program history. They will travel to No. 3 Cypress for a best-of-three series on Friday through Sunday, May 12-14.