Bucs Shutout By Eagles Despite Nine Hits

The Ventura Bucs (9-13-2) chances slipped away with the sunlight as a close game devolved into a 7-0 defeat at the hands of the LA Mission Eagles (record unavailable) at Pote Field in Griffith Park Wednesday.

“Today we had opportunities, but we didn’t cash in on any of them,” Bucs head coach Spiro Psaltis said.

Ventura outhit the Eagles 9-4, but ran into outs on the basepaths and failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position. The loss was just the second time the Bucs have been shutout this season.

“We need to be smarter on the base paths,” Bucs right Fielder Aaron Chazin said. “I hold myself accountable for that, too.”

Chazin provided the Ventura’s only double of the day as one of his three hits. He is now flirting with the team lead in batting average, hitting at a .350 clip.

“I’ve been working on stepping towards the batters box more, a little more towards the pitcher, and I think it’s been helping me out,” Chazin said.

Shortstop Christopher Stimming joined Chazin in the three-hit club, hustling down the line for two infield singles. The big day brought his own batting average to .328 for the summer.

“We’re talented, we have so much going for us, but the end result isn’t coming.” Psaltis said.

The Eagles did the majority of their damage in the eighth inning, but the middle relief was a bright spot for Ventura. Ethan Hamburg and Ryan Fernandez pitched two innings each of shutout baseball in the middle frames, and each allowed just one hit.

Ventura County returns to GCCL play with a three-game series against team victory this weekend. Game 1 is scheduled for 4:00p.m. at the Glendale Sports Complex Friday, July 23rd.

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