SBCC took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of Tuesday’s opening softball game but it was all Ventura after that as the Pirates posted two wins, 4-1 and 8-0, to solidify their hold on first place in the WSC Gold Division.
Santa Barbara (18-15, 8-5), which started the day in second place, had its six-game win streak snapped. Ventura, ranked No. 9 in Southern Cal, improved to 27-6 and 12-2.
The visiting Vaqueros outhit Ventura in the first game 8-5 but couldn’t string their hits together. Tara Crawford walked, stole second and scored on Mariah Coyazo’s single to right to give the Vaqueros a 1-0 lead in the second.
Teresa Lemos (21-4) picked up both pitching wins and tossed a three-hitter in the second game, which ended after six innings due to the 8-run rule. The Vaqueros had four errors in Game 2. Ventura had 11 hits in the nightcap and no errors on the day.
“We were hitting balls right at their players all day,“ said assistant coach Erin Breck. “It was very frustrating, especially after winning six in a row.“
Santa Barbara hosts Oxnard on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
LINE SCORES:
First Game
SBCC ….……. 010 000 0 — 1 8 1
Ventura .……. 002 110 x — 4 5 0
Acosta, Harris (3) and Larabell; Lemos and Cortez. W–Lemos 20-4. L–Acosta 10-5.
3B–V: Lemos, Garcia.
Second Game (6 inn.)
SBCC ……….. 000 000 — 0 3 4
Ventura .……. 111 032 — 8 11 0
Harris and Larabell; Lemos and Cortez. W–Lemos 21-4. L–Harris 8-10.
2B–V: Samaniego.
Records–SB: 18-15, 8-5 WSC Gold; VC: 27-6, 12-2.
