Buccaneers Launch Past Astros for Double Header Split

Brock Bell hits a home run in the seventh inning of game 2 of a double header against the Arcadia Astros at Arcadia High School - Robert Hollar. June 29, 2019

The Ventura County Buccaneers tracked Lee Brandzel's grounder down the line then cheered in unison as it hopped past the diving first baseman and scored the winning run of Ventura's 6-5 extra-inning victory over the Arcadia Astros in Arcadia Saturday.

Ventura (9-6) and Arcadia split the seven-inning double header completing a three game non-league series. The Buc's come-from-behind victory avoided a sweep.

The Buccaneers trailed by a run with two out and nobody on in the seventh. Consecutive singles from Brandzel and right fielder Will Cook enabled Brandzel to score the tying run on an error.

Second Baseman Brock Bell came to the plate and made the Astros pay for their mistake. He pounded a curveball over over the left field wall for a three-run homer that put Ventura ahead 5-2. Bell was 2-2 with a triple and the homer in game 2.

Arcadia managed to tie the game sending it to an eighth inning. However, the Buccaneers executed another two-out rally culminating in Brandzel's double.

Max Blessinger dives back to first base safely on an attempted pickoff play during a game against the Arcadia Astros Saturday. - Robert Hollar. June 29, 2019.

Ventura still had to defend in the bottom of the inning. Shortstop Max Blessinger relieved winning pitcher Trevor Shenefield (2-0) for a two-out save that stranded the tying run at first base.

Ventura must manage its way through two nine-inning games in a road double header against the Coastal Cubs beginning 11 a.m. Sunday at Ventura College.