The VC softball team dropped Game `1 of its Best of 3 playoff series at Cypress Friday afternoon, 9-1. Savanna Higgins had a pair of hits and scored the Pirates' lone run and Alyssa Castaneda provided the only RBI of the day for Ventura. The Pirates were limited to three hits on the day by Charger pitching.
Ventura gave up one run in the bottom of the first but got it back with a score in the top of the second. Higgins singled down the left field line then advanced to second before moving to third on Bryanne Magana's groundball out. Castaneda followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the score at 1-1.
The score remained knotted until three walks led to three Cypress runs in the bottom of the third inning.
The Chargers then ended the game early with five runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the 9-1 victory.
The teams will return for Game 2 of the series on Saturday May 3 at Cypress. A VC win would force a deciding Game 3, 30 minutes following Game 2. The winner of the series advances to next week's Super Regional on May 9 and 10.