The VC baseball team shut down LA Pierce Thursday in their 4-2 win at Pirate Park. Ben Drumheller pitched into the sixth inning with the start, allowing two runs while scattering four hits and striking out four. Cole Howard had a two-RBI double and Caden Stillwell picked up three hits, including a double, in the Pirate victory.
The Brahmas drew first blood with a run in the top of the third inning.
The Pirates came back with two in the bottom of the fifth. Hunter Cervantes and Jacob Tostado led off the frame with singles. Henry Borjas sacrificed the runners ahead 90 feet before Howard pushed both runs home with a double.
After Pierce scored one run in the top of the sixth, the Pirates answered with their own score in the bottom half of the column. Matthew Ramirez led off with a walk, then moved from first to third on an error on the pitcher on a pick-off attempt. Lucas Martinov followed with a sacrifice fly to put VC ahead 3-2.
Ventura added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Stillwell doubled with one out and was replaced by pinch runner Adam Arth. after the second out of the inning, Martinov walked and Tommy Castaneda singled home Arth to set the final 4-2 margin.
Jaden Valdez finished the sixth inning in relief to pick up the win and Zack Serup threw three scoreless frames to earn the save on the mound.
Ventura will close their three game set with LA Pierce on Saturday Feb. 22 in Woodland Hills.