The Ventura College baseball team erased a 10-1 deficit at Los Angeles Mission Wednesday only to fall 12-10 against the Eagles in Sylmar. Lucas Martinov was 3-4 at the plate with a double, four runs batted in and a run scored and Grant Rodriguez recorded a single and a double, scoring twice. Victor Tostado provided three innings of scoreless middle relief to give the Pirates a chance at the comeback.
VC dug a big hole early giving up seven runs in the bottom of the first inning.
LAMC scored another run in the second before the Pirates got some offense going in the third. With two outs Henry Borjas reached base on an infield single, then went to second on a balk. Matthew Ramirez then reached base on an error that allowed Borjas to score.
The Eagles then countered with two more runs in the bottom half of the frame to lead 10-1 heading to the fourth.
V. Tostado took over for Ventura on the mound in the fourth inning and put three zeros up on the scoreboard, giving the Pirates a chance.
In the sixth inning, Ramirez reached base on a fielder's choice, moving to second on a single by Grant Rodriguez. Caden Stillwell reached on an error that scored Ramirez before Rodriguez scored one out later on a passed ball. Martinov followed with a short pop fly to score Stillwell to narrow the deficit to 10-4.
Ventura then rallied for six runs in the top of the seventh to come all the way back and tie the game. Daniel Aguilera drew a bases-loaded walk to score the first run of the frame and Martinov's three-RBI double cleared the bases soon thereafter. After a pitching change Ben Drumheller reached base on an error that scored Martinov with Max Weitz pinch running for Drumheller after the play. Weitz then moved to third and scored on a pair of wild pitches before the side was retired, locking the game up at 10-10.
Unfortunately, Mission was able to plate a run in the bottom of the seventh and added another in the bottom of the eighth to post the final 12-10 margin.
Ventura returns home on Friday March 21 hosting Saddleback at 2:00 pm at Pirate Park.