The VC baseball team scored four runs on five hits in the top of the first inning, and plated a score in four more frames in their 11-6 victory at Citrus College Tuesday afternoon. Gage Allen was 4-4 on the day with two runs scored and a run batted in while Reiss Calvin and John Oleson each belted out three hits. Jake Read pitched into the fourth inning in the start, giving up two earned runs and striking out three for the Pirates (3-4).
Five of VC's first six batters produced hits to score four runs in the top of the first inning. JR Godinez led off with a single, and Calivn followed with another single, moving into scoring position on a throw to third base. Oleson followed with a two-RBI single and scored when Casey Turturici doubled to right center. One batter later Andrew Savage had an RBI single and the Pirates led 4-0.
Citrus scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first, but Ventura was able to answer in the following at bat. With one out, Allen beat out the throw on an infield single and stole second. He moved to third on Godinez's sacrifice bunt and scored when Calvin singled up the middle.
The Owls cut the Pirate lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the second, and VC had another answer in the third. With one out, Turturici walked and moved to second on a single by Garrick Levesque. Savage was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Turturici scored on Anthony Arancibia-Mundy's groundout.
Citrus followed in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runs to close the gap to 6-4.
Ventura answered with three runs in the fifth. Oleson led off with a base hit and Turturici hit an RBI double into the gap in right center. Levesque followed with a single and Turturici scored on a throwing error after Savage lined out to second base. One batter later, Ramon Torres drew a walk, then Allen singled to right to score Levesque. After Citrus scored one more run in the bottom half of the frame, Ventura led 9-5 after five complete.
The Pirates plated a pair of insurance runs in the top of the eighth inning. Allen led off with a single, then stole second after a pitching change. He scored when Calvin's infield single was followed by a throwing error. Oleson singled next, then Turturici reached base on a fielder's choice, an error that resulted in Calvin's run scored.
After a Citrus run in the bottom of the eighth, Ventura posted the 11-6 victory.
Oleson added a pair of runs and two RBI to his hit total and Calvin scored twice with one RBI. Levesque and Savage each totaled two hits in the game.
Hunter Jones gave up one run in three innings of relief work.
Ventura returns home on Friday Feb. 11 for a 2:00 pm contest with Bakersfield at Pirate Park.