The Pirate softball team opened Western State Conference North Division play Thursday with an 18-3 run-rule victory over visiting Santa Monica. Madison Shay had a home run and a single with two runs batted in while scoring twice to lead the way for VC (12-3, 1-0). Bryanne Magana knocked out two doubles and a single and scored three runs and Baylany Magana recorded a pair of hits with two RBI and two runs scored. Lily Jimenez pitched a complete game to pick up the win in the circle.
The game was essentially over in the first inning. The Pirates retired the Corsairs in three batters with a line-out and a double play before scoring seven runs in the bottom half of the frame.
Ba. Magana led off the bottom of the first with a walk and Dakota Moore singled. Magana then scored on a throwing error and Jennie Jacinto followed with an RBI triple. Shay singled to left to score Jacinto and Br. Magana doubled home Shay. Magana then moved to third on Jiminez's groundout and scored when Alyssa Castaneda made it to first on an error. After a pop-fly out Castaneda moved to second and third before Sophia Valencia walked. Castaneda scored on a passed ball and Ba. Magana singled home Valencia for the 7-0 lead.
The second was more of the same for the Pirates as they plated four runs. Shay singled to center to lead things off and Br. Magana doubled. After a Jimenez single, Castaneda hit a sacrifice fly to score Magana. Valencia followed the second out of the frame with a single and Ba. Magana drew a base on balls to load the bases. Moore's walk scored Jimenez and Valencia scored on a wild pitch.
After a 1-2-3 top of the third, VC's dominance continued in the bottom of the inning. Br. Magana singled, Jimenez walked and Castaneda reached first on an error to load the diamond. Aubrey Aguirre singled home two runs Valencia singled home a score and Ba. Magana reached on an infield single that also plated a run. Moore walked before Jacinto hit a sacrifice fly for another score. After the second out of the inning, Br. Magana reached on an error scoring her sister, the Moore scored on another error for the 18-0 margin.
The Corsairs managed one run in the fourth and two more in the fifth for the final count.
VC continues conference play on Tuesday Mar. 11 at Santa Barbara.