Five-Run Burst in Second Lifts Baseball Past Ventura

TORRANCE, Calif. --- El Camino College took down it's fifth straight game to open the season with a 6-1 non-conference victory over Ventura on Saturday afternoon at Warrior Field.

The Warriors used a five-run outburst in the second inning to take command of the game and never looked back. Six starters recorded at least one hit with Dylan Mares going 2-for-2 with two walks and a run scored.

Anthony Camarena recorded his first career victory on the mound as he tossed six strong innings and scattered eight hits while allowing one earned run. He walked one and struck out four to claim the win.

Henry Sorman pitched three innings of flawless relief, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out four to notch his first save of the year.

In the second, the Warriors sent nine men to the plate and scored twice before recording an out. Mares led off with a single and then Nathan Rivera was hit by a pitch. A walk to Caden Lewis loaded the bases and then Aden Laureano got an RBI the hard way as he was also drilled with a pitch to force in a run and make it 1-0.

Dylan Garcia then laced a single through the right side of the infield to score Rivera and give ECC a 2-0 lead.

A double play would add another to the Warriors' tally and then Dane Rhodes hit a hustle-double through the right side of the infield to plate Laureano and make it 4-0 ECC.

Slater Nunez would get on via a bunt-single and then Ventura starter Will Kaczynski balked, forcing in Rhodes from third to cap the scoring in the inning.

Camarena and Sorman did the rest, allowing just one run in the third to the Pirates.

The Warriors will return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they host Cypress for a 1 p.m. first pitch.