Sloppy Ventura Slips for Good in 12th Inning

The Ventura College baseball team came out on the short end of a long game.

The Pirates were unable to turn a double play with the bases loaded in the 12th inning and Hancock came away with a 6-5 victory Tuesday in a Western State Conference North Division game at Hancock.

Hancock loaded the bases with one out against relief pitcher Noah Lowry. Jason Fernandez hit a high hopper to second base and Ventura got the force out at second. However, the throw to first was late and Nick Terrones scored from third.

The loss was the fourth in five games for Ventura (10-11, 3-6 in conference play). The Pirates are 1-5 in one-run games.

Ventura starter Chris Goodenough pitched nine strong innings, allowing six hits and one earned run before giving way to Lowry (0-2) in the 10th.

But Goodenough’s effort was hurt by four Ventura errors that led to four unearned runs. Ventura led, 4-3, in the sixth when the Pirates’ last error allowed the Bulldogs (15-7, 6-2) to tie the score, 4-4. Hancock scored another run in the inning to go ahead 5-4 until Ventura added a run in the ninth.

The Pirates’ offense was led by John Poehler, who had two hits and drove in one run.

In other baseball games:

Moorpark 4, Santa Barbara 3--Brian Scoles struck out nine and scattered three hits in eight innings and the Raiders (18-10, 7-2) won a WSC North Division game at Santa Barbara. Ed Castellanos hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to tie the score, 3-3.

Bakersfield 14, Canyons 2--Manny Bernal, Shaun Fishman and Corey Briggs each had two hits for the Cougars (10-15, 4-5), but the Renegades had 25 hits in a WSC South Division game at Bakersfield.

The Master’s 15, Northwest Nazarene 2--Matt Berry struck out 10 in seven innings and the Mustangs won a nonconference game at Master’s.

Berry (4-2) allowed two earned runs, seven hits and two walks. Mark Steenback did not allow a run and struck out four in two innings.

Designated hitter Mike Wertz had four hits and drove in three runs for The Master’s (20-6-1). Jeremy Griffin had two hits and four runs batted in and Preston Sprinkle had three hits and three RBIs.

SOFTBALL

Ventura 6, Canyons 2--Chantal Pershing had two hits and Danni Soscha and Traci Roca each had a double, but the Cougars (11-10-1, 2-3) lost a WSC interdivision game at Ventura.

MEN’S TENNIS

Santa Barbara City 6, Pierce 3--Everett Schroetter swept his singles matches and teamed with Brad Plough in doubles play to lead the Vaqueros in a WSC match at Pierce. Danny Mabe and Steven Ishoo won singles matches for the Brahmas (7-3, 6-2).