The Pirate baseball team dropped its Western State Conference opener against Los Angeles Pierce Tuesday at Pirate Park. Hunter Cervantes had a pair of hits at the plate with two runs batted in and a run scored while Hunter Borjas also recorded two hits, including a double, with two RBI and a run scored. Caden Stillwell had two hits, including a double, and two runs scored and Tommy Castaneda contributed two singles with an RBI. Jacob Tostado had a quality start, throwing six complete innings and allowing four runs while scattering eight hits and striking out four.
The Brahmas scored a pair of runs in the top of the second before VC countered with one in the bottom half of the frame. Stillwell led off with a double and Ben Drumheller had a one-out single that moved Stillwell to third. Cervantes then hit an RBI single to pull Ventura to within 2-1.
Pierce scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to hold a 4-1 lead headed to the seventh.
LAPC put up two runs in the seventh and six i the eight to take control of the game.
Ventura kept up the fight, however, with a four-run eighth. With one out, Stillwell reached base on an error and moved to third on a groundout by Frederico Tiburtini. After a Drumheller walk, Cervantes hit another RBI single to score Stillwell. The remaining two runners moved ahead 90 feet on an error. Borjas followed with a two-RBI single to score Drumheller and Cervantes, then stole second. Castaneda followed with an RBI single and VC trailed 12-5 heading to the final inning.
Pierce added another run in the ninth to set the final margin.
Ventura will host the Brahmas again on Thursday Feb. 20 at 2:00 pm at Pirate Park.