Hancock Softball Loses Pitchers' Duel 1-0 at Ventura in Nine Innings

Anissa Padilla drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs to force in the game's only run in the bottom of the ninth inning as Ventura College handed the Allan Hancock College softball team a 1-0 loss to create a log jam at the top of the Western State Conference standings Thursday. The Bulldogs fell to 12-3 in conference and 20-11 overall. Ventura improved to 11-3 in league and 20-9 overall.

Hancock is in a virtual tie for first with Bakersfield (13-4), a half-game ahead of Ventura and one game in front of Cuesta (12-5). 

Padilla outdueled Hancock freshman Bailey Killough in the circle. Killough surrendered five hits, one run, three walks, hit two batters, and struck out three in 8 2/3 innings. Padilla struck out eight and allowed just five hits. She did not walk a batter.

Killough and Myranda Morales had two hits apiece to lead the Bulldogs. Leticia Hoobery also had a base hit. The Bulldogs only threatened to score in two innings against Padilla.

Ventura's rally in the ninth started with a single and a hit-by-pitch. Killough struck out the next batter, but hit another hitter to load the bases with one out. She recorded the second out via the strikeout, but on a 3-2 pitch issued ball four to Padilla to give the Pirates a walk-off win.

The Bulldogs will return to action Tuesday, April 11, when they host Oxnard in a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. Hancock beat Oxnard 10-2 in five innings last month.