The Inland Valley Pirate dropped both games Sunday Afternoon against the first place Ventura County Pirates. With both losses, the Pirates are now 6-6 in league and 7-8-1 overall on the season.
The first game was an offensive game as the final score was 11-9. Ventura County would take the early game 4-0 by scoring two runs in the first and second innings but the home team Pirates would score two runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning. After Dylan McDowell would work a leadoff walk, Matt Manskar would get a double. With runners on second and third, Christian Lopez would get a sac fly to score McDowell. Hunter Cooper would then bring home Manskar on an error to make the game 4-2.
Ventura County would then add another run in the third inning but the IV Pirates would come right back with three runs of their own to make the game 6-6. Manskar and Lopez would each contribute doubles in this inning to tie the game up. After Ventura County would score two more over the next two innings, the IV Pirates would end up tying the game 8-8 heading into the 7th. Ventura County would then add three more runs to take the lead 11-8 and the Pirates would only be able to add one more run in the 8th on a Justin Katz single to make it 11-9. This would be the final score as both teams were held scoreless in the 9th.
In the second game of the double header, Ventura County starter Robert Stowell was the story for most of the game. He had a perfect game broken up when he hit Dylan McDowell to lead off the sixth inning. With Ventura County leading 1-0, Inland Valley would then get their first hit by Michael Piniero in the top of the 7th. Jacob Taylor would follow this with another hit. After a sacrifice bunt, Ryan Whithorn would hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1. Jacob Taylor would then steal third base and the catcher would throw the ball into left field and Taylor scored to make the game 1-2 Inland Valley.
Down 1-2 heading into the ninth, Ventura County would add two runs off Inland Valley pitcher Christian Lopez to take the lead 3-2. Ventura County would then hold the Pirates scoreless in the ninth for the win.