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Coming off a 18-6 league season record, The Ventura County Pirates headed into Wednesday’s playoff game as the #1 seed having to face off against the #4 seed SoCal Shepherds. Pitching was the name of the game in this one as Pirates pitching shoved en route to a 4-1 win, putting themselves 3 wins closer to a championship.
Getting the start was LHP Josh Yosfan. Yosfan has been lights out all year and today was no different. Although he allowed a Shepherd's batter to get in scoring position each inning, Yosfan managed to escape the jams without allowing an earned run. However, Yosfan fell victim to error in the second giving the Shepherds their first and only run of the game. He would finish his start with 3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER and 2 K.
In relief for Yosfan was fellow southpaw Jimmy Urban. Like Yosfan, Urban has been dominant all season long, overpowering hitters with his fastball. He was able to come into the game and give 2 scoreless innings while allowing 0 H, 0 ER and 4 K.
It wasn't until the 5th inning when the Pirates would get one across. Designated hitter Andrew Tovar ledoff the inning with a single followed by a sacrifice bunt by catcher Andrew Buglino to put Tovar in scoring position. Centerfielder Dan Laughery would then bring around Tovar to score on an RBI single making it a 1-1 ball game.
“It was a hit and run and I wasn’t trying to do much,” said Laughery. “I did a good job of getting on top of it and poking it out there.”
The Pirates wouldn’t stop there because in the following inning, Buglino drove in first baseman Eli Paton and then Laughery came up to bat with bases loaded and 2 outs later in that inning. After coming through the previous inning, Laughery came through once again scoring 2 on a single up the middle extending the Pirates lead to 4-1.
RHP Dylan Goodrich entered in relief for Urban and just like his fellow teammates, Goodrich would keep the Shepherds in check. Goodrich worked through his first inning striking out 2 batters and in the next inning he retired the Shepherds in order, setting himself up for the win.
The last pitcher to come in for the Pirates was RHP Kellen Montgomery who replaced Goodrich in the 8th. Montgomery followed in his teammates footsteps retiring the Shepherds with no problem in the last two innings earning himself the save.
With this win, The Pirates can secure themselves a spot in the Championship game this weekend with one more win. They will look to do so Thursday evening as they head back to Cal Poly Pomona to face off against the Inland Valley Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m PST. For more information visit the @vcountypirates on instagram, @vcountypirates on twitter, and @venturacountypirates on facebook.