Ventura came to Pershing Park on Thursday looking for revenge after being shutout by the Vaqueros at home just two days ago.
Revenge is exactly what they got, beating the Vaqueros 9-1 on a gloomy afternoon that had few positive moments for SBCC fans.
“I thought our collective will [to win] didn’t even come into the ballpark today,” head coach Teddy Warrecker said. “Just very, very, very disappointed in our effort.”
Pirates starter Blair Walters barely broke a sweat on the mound, only allowing seven base runners in his nine innings of work, frequently inducing first-pitch outs, resulting in quick innings of work. Walters also went two for three at the plate with two RBIs.
The Vaqueros’ offensive struggles were glaringly obvious throughout the game. They failed to get the leadoff runner on base in any inning, and didn’t push a single runner past second base until scoring their lone run in the ninth.
Ventura jumped on Vaqs starting pitcher Ryan Gardner right away, Garrett Rau doubled and was driven in by Collin LaVoie, who then stole second and was driven in by Walters. Two consecutive walks prompted Warrecker to pull Gardner with only two outs in the first. In the fourth, Walters ripped a double off the base of the right field fence with two runners on second and third, making the score 5-0, which was more than enough for him to work with.
Santa Barbara is now in “must-win territory” according to Warrecker.
“We can say ‘we can play ‘em one game at a time’, but we’ve gotta win and we’ve gotta put a big win streak together,” Warrecker said. “I think it’s in us, I still think we’re capable of doing it, but it needs to start soon. They have no other choice.”
The Vaqueros needed five pitchers to get through the game, while Ventura’s Walters was never in trouble until the ninth inning when Andrew Leighty singled to drive in Aaron Bauman with two outs to prevent the shutout.
While the offense proved to be anemic once again, Warrecker did highlight his squad’s defensive play. The Vaqueros have played three consecutive games without committing an error.
“I think it was the best game we’ve played all year defensively, but offense has been our Achilles heel this year,” Warrecker said.
Warrecker also praised the play of reliever Greg Pellici, who came in to throw 3 2/3 solid innings.
Santa Barbara will host Cuesta on Saturday.
VENTURA 9, SANTA BARBARA 1
Ventura…201 200 013 – 9 8 1
Santa Barbara…000 000 001 – 1 4 0
V – Walters and Yingling. SB – Gardner, Edgington (1), Pellici (4), Peterson (8) and Howard
2B – V: Rau, Walters, SB: Chavez, Krupp
