Softball Claims First Victory of the Season

Playing shorthanded to open the season, the Pirate softball team captured its first victory of the young campaign Thursday, defeating Los Angeles Mission 2-1 in Sylmar. Emma Estrella scattered three hits over seven innings of work in the circle, giving up one run and striking out 10 batters to claim the win. Jayla Raya and Erika Sanchez each knocked in runs for Ventura in the triumph.

VC, who has been missing two starters since the beginning of the season, scored first in the top of the second inning. Sanchez singles to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Paisley Magdaleno walked and Layah Hicks reached first on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Raya followed with another fielder's choice that scored Sanchez for the 1-0 advantage.

The Eagles tied the score in the bottom of the third inning, and Ventura scored the game-winner in the fifth. Samantha Soto hit a lead-off single, and the next two batters flied out before she moved to second on a wild pitch. Sanchez then reached base on an error on which Soto scored the game-winning run.

Zayra Landeros totaled three hits in the game, including a double, and Hicks recorded a pair of hits in the game for the Pirates, who had eight hits total and only struck out once.

The win provides a measure of redemption as Ventura dropped a 4-0 decision to the Eagles on the opening day of the season. 

Next up, VC travels to Golden West on Tuesday Feb. 3 at 2:00 pm.