Savanna Higgins and Alyssa Castaneda each hit home runs while Madison Shay also knocked in a pair of runs Tuesday at the Pirate softball team defeated Chaffey 6-3 in the 3C2A Southern California Regional Play-In Round at the VC Softball Complex. Baylany Magana pitched into the sixth inning, yielding three runs to pick up the win in the circle and Bryanne Magana closed out the game to pick up the five-out save.
The Pirates got things going early against the Panthers. Ba. Magana led off the bottom of the first with a walk and promptly stole second. One out later Higgins reached base on an error and also swiped second. Shay then came through with a two-RBI single to give Ventura the early lead.
The Pirates threatened again in the second and third innings, but could not push another run across until the bottom of the fifth. Jennie Jacinto led off the frame with a single and Higgins followed with a two-run home run for the 4-0 VC margin.
Chaffey took advantage of three walks in the top of the sixth inning, scoring three runs to close the gap to a single run, 4-3.
In the bottom half of the column, Castaneda provided some needed insurance with a lead-off home run, and Jacinto singled to right moving Ba. Magana to third before a throwing error on the play allowed Magana to score to set the final score at 6-3.
The Pirates (27-8) move on to the first round of the regional playoffs on Friday and Saturday May 2 and 3. VC, the No. 15-seed, will travel to No. 2 Cypress for a best of three series against the Chargers. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday at 2:00 pm and Game 2 will be Saturday at 12:00 pm. Game 3, if necessary, will be immediately after Game 2 on Saturday.