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CERRITOS— Even with limited substitutions available, the Ventura County Pirates (18-6, 11-5 Sunset Baseball League) breezed to a 4-1 Victory over the South Bay Sliders (12-6, 6-4 SBL) in Cerritos Sunday evening.
Ventura overwhelmed opponents with their high-powered offense in the month of June. The organization finished just one win shy of tying a club record for wins in a calendar month.
RHP Curren Larson outplayed opposing hitters during his five innings on the mound. He did not allow a hit and struck out eight in one of the Pirates’ best starts this year. Larson (3-1) was the winning pitcher and lowered his ERA to 1.20 on the season.
Larson was nearly tagged with a no-decision, but extra hitter Bradley Chesterton finally put Ventura ahead with a fifth-inning single. Chesterton scored in the following at-bat on an error in center field and the Pirates led 2-0 after five.
Ventura scored two more in the eighth beginning with an RBI single from catcher Nick Henry. Henry was 2-4 with a single and a double on the day. His RBI drove in right fielder Cole Kitchen, who had three singles in the game.
Deandre Carter pitched the ninth, earning his second save in as many opportunities this season.
Second baseman Kyle Soberano’s hitting streak ended at ten games Sunday. Soberano’s batting average continues to lead the league among qualifying batters.
Ventura County returns home to face the OC Riptide of the prestigious California Collegiate League 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 2 at LA Valley College.