Pirate Rally Falls Short in 2024 Home Finale

The VC softball team scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh and had the potential game-tying run at the plate with no outs before falling to Allan Hancock 6-4 Thursday in their 2024 home finale. Haylie Lopez had a pair of hits, including a two-RBI single in the final at-bat to lead Ventura. Chelsea Trejo and Jennie Jacinto also recorded two hits each in the setback.

The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning but VC came back and tied the game in the third when J. Jacinto hit an RBI single to score Lopez, who led the frame off with a single.

Hancock then plated four runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to hold a commanding 6-1 lead heading to the final column.

Trejo singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh for VC and Kaliona Hernandez followed with a pinch hit single. Victoria Rodriguez knocked Trejo home with another single and both remaining runners moved ahead a base on the unsuccessful throw to the plate. Then Lopez knocked in a pair of runs with the Pirates' fourth straight single to close the gap to 6-4. VC brought the potential game-tying run to the plate three more times in the inning, but Hancock was able to retire the side and cut the Ventura rally short.

Ventura will close the 2024 season on Tuesday April 23 at Santa Monica.