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VALLEY GLEN - The Ventura County Pirates struggled to bring their baserunners home today, due in part to some costly baserunning blunders. Despite out-hitting their opponent, an absentminded putout at first in the second inning, and a caught stealing third out in the third inning really hit the brakes before the Pirate offense could get going.
It was a pitchers duel for the first four innings, with starter Cole Dale recording an impressive eight strikeouts and holding the Long Beach Legends scoreless through his first four innings of work. Derek Potts was also lights-out in his one inning of relief, recording a strikeout and only allowing one base on balls.
Trenton Pallas scored the Pirates' lone run in the eighth inning, after expertly laying down a bunt on the third base line for a hit, which induced a throwing error that allowed him to advance to second base. Sean Mann drove him home two batters later on an RBI ground out. Ian McIntyre and Darren Taylor each had two hits in the game, and Taylor and Jacob Ortega each doubled.
The Pirates fall to third place in the Best of the West Divison with the loss, with a division record of six wins and seven losses. They will rematch the Long Beach Legends on Tuesday morning at Amerig Park?