The Vaqueros softball team conquered its rival Ventura College, 9-1, Thursday afternoon at Pershing Park.

This was the first time this season that the rivals faced one another, and after a loss against Cuesta College on Tuesday, City College head coach Paula Congleton made it a priority to work with her team on offense.

“Yesterday we did nothing but hit,” Congleton said. “We needed to just get some kids back on track and it seemed like it worked.”

City College started out strong, scoring two runs in the first inning and held Ventura off allowing them no hits and no runs. The second inning would prove to be a big one for the Vaqueros, scoring a total of four runs.

Center fielder Sydney Townes once again dominated at the plate with a line drive double to bring in two of those four runs. Townes agreed that the extra attention being put on offense has helped not only her personally, but the entire team.

“As a team we have all really been working on the mental side of the game which has really been helping,” said Townes. “We all have the physical ability to hit the ball but the mindset you have going into the box really makes a difference on whether you are successful or not.”

The momentum continued into the next two innings for the Vaqueros both offensively and defensively. While Ventura was able to bring in one run on a fielding error, the Vaqueros fought back to score two more runs in the fourth inning. Both teams held their ground defensively in the fifth inning, not allowing any runs for either side.

Heading into the sixth inning the Vaqueros led 8-1. As Ventura went up to bat, they were once again shut down in a no-run inning. City College continued to prove that their offensive work has payed off when pitcher Madison McNamee hit a line-drive double to bring in the ninth run and win the game by the eight-run rule.  

“There was some really great hitting by our kids today,” said Congleton. “The bottom line is, when we hit we win.”

After this win, the Vaqueros are now 21-7 on the season. Their next game will be a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at Oxnard College.