Softball Uses Fourth-Inning Surge, Estrella’s Complete Game to Top Santa Barbara

A three-run surge in the fourth inning and a complete-game effort from pitcher Emma Estrella lifted VC to a 6-4 road win over Santa Barbara on Tuesday. Baylany Magana was 3-for-3 at he plate with a pair of runs scored while Aubrey Aguirre and Jayla Raya each knocked in two runs to lead the effort offensively. Estrella scattered five hits and struck out 12 Vaqueros en route to the complete-game win.

The Pirates trailed 4-2 in the middle of the fourth before the offense answered with a decisive three-run frame that flipped the game. Ventura sent multiple hitters to the plate in the inning, highlighted by a run-scoring double from Aguirre as the Pirates turned a one-run deficit into a 5-4 advantage. VC added an insurance run in the sixth and relied on Estrella to close the door the rest of the way.

Ventura finished with six runs on 12 hits and no errors, stranding 10 runners but consistently pressuring SBCC's defense. Aguirre drove in two runs, including her key extra-base hit in the fourth, while Raya also posted two RBI and Samantha Soto added another run driven in. Magana sparked the offense on the basepaths with multiple stolen bases, helping Ventura create scoring opportunities throughout the afternoon.

Estrella went the distance in the circle, working seven innings while allowing just five hits and four runs, three of them earned. She navigated four walks but struck out 12 hitters to earn the win, repeatedly missing bats in key spots. After Santa Barbara scored three times in the fourth to momentarily reclaim the lead, Estrella settled in and held the Vaqueros scoreless over the final three innings.

Santa Barbara opened the scoring with a run in the first inning and later produced a three-run fourth to briefly move in front 4-2. The Vaqueros finished with 4 runs on 5 hits and one error, leaving seven runners on base.

Ventura answered quickly after Santa Barbara's early strike, plating two runs in the second to take a 2-1 lead. The Pirates' three-run fourth inning — capped by Aguirre's double and additional RBI from the middle of the order — proved to be the turning point. Ventura's defense also supported Estrella, playing error-free softball to keep Santa Barbara from capitalizing on its limited traffic on the bases.

The Pirates next travel to East Los Angeles on Saturday Mar. 14 to take on the Huskies and Fullerton in a three-way set.