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The Inland Valley Pirates and Ventura County Pirates traded blows on Tuesday, but it was inland Valley which emerged with the spoils of a 6-4 Victory at LA Valley College.
“We can’t seem to get that clutch hit to really break open a game,” Ventura County Pirates General Manager George Vranau said.
Ventura County third baseman Darren Taylor kept his hot bat going, breaking a 1-1 tie with a two-run bomb to left in the fifth inning. It was his league-leading 3rd home run this season.
“I was just jumping on the fastball,” Taylor said. “With runners on base I’m making sure that I’m not seeing too many pitches and just making it happen.”
Taylor’s 7 RBIs also lead the Best of the West division and he is tied for the league lead with a .500 batting average.
“Whatever it is that he’s doing I wish it would become contagious to the other players,” Vranau said.
Pitcher Brent Chavez gave Ventura County five strong innings, striking out 7 without allowing an earned run. Inland Valley capitalized on the back end of the bullpen, however, scoring four runs in the final two innings to seal the victory.
Ventura County will weigh anchor and travel to Charter Oaks High School in Covina for a battle with the Inland Valley Bucs Thursday, June 24th. First Pitch is scheduled for 4:30p.m.