The VC baseball team opened their 2025 campaign on the short end of a 13-5 decision at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo Wednesday. Lucas Martinov had a pair of hits and scored twice and Matthew Ramirez knocked in a pair of runs in the setback. Ben Drumheller started on the mound, pitching four solid innings and giving up one run.
After the Bobcats scored once in the bottom of the second inning, the Pirates responded in the top of the third with a pair of runs. Hector Pina opened the frame with a walk and Martinov singled him to second. Hunter Cervantes loaded the bases by reaching on an error before Henry Borjas hit an RBI single. Two outs later, Martinov scored when Caden Stillwell reached base on an error for a 2-1 VC lead.
Ventura held fast through the bottom of the fifth when Saddleback plated two runs to retake the lead, 3-2.
The Bobcats added another run in the bottom of the sixth before the Pirates scored three times in the top of the seventh. Martinov led off with a single and Cervantes was hit by a pitch. One out later Grant Rodriguez hit an RBI double and Ramirez hit a two-out, two-RBI single later in the frame. VC led 5-4 at the seventh inning stretch.
Unfortunately, the advantage did not last as Saddleback scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, then followed up with a six-run eighth to set the final margin.
Ventura opens its home schedule on Thursday Jan. 30 against Compton. First pitch is slated for 2:00 pm at Pirate Park.