Late Heroics Secures Sweep over Ventura

TORRANCE, Calif. --- El Camino College was the beneficiary of some clutch hitting late in the game in a 5-4 non-conference win over Ventura on Saturday afternoon at Warrior Field.

The Warriors scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning to overcome a four-run deficit and complete a two-game sweep over the Pirates.

Gil Solis smashed an RBI double to the right-center field wall to score pinch-runner Jack Nammack all the way from first base to draw ECC even at 4-4. Then, with two outs, Slater Nunez lined a single to right-center field to score Solis with what would become the game-winning run to put the Warriors up 5-4.

Nunez finished the game 2-for-3 with a run scored and two walks while Solis was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Freshman Henry Sorman closed the door in the ninth, allowing a leadoff single before retiring the side and securing his first career save.

The Warriors win would not have been possible without the brilliance of Luke Steward on the mound. He posted his best start of the season for the Warriors, going a season-high eight innings and striking out a season-high seven batters.

After allowing two runs in the fourth and two in the fifth, he retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced to keep the Pirates from doing any further damage. He also tallied five of his seven punchouts in those last three innings.

The Warriors offense came through for their starter, scoring three times in the bottom of the fifth to turn the four-run deficit into a one-run game and then they overtook the Pirates for good in the eighth. Daniel Craig led all hitters with three hits on the day.

The Warriors are now 8-3 on the season as they are set to begin South Coast Conference play on Tuesday with the first of a three-game series against Mount San Antonio. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.