Four-run fifth-inning, bullpen leads Pirates to win at Reedley

REEDLEY – Porterville College rallied for four runs in the top of the fifth inning while the bullpen tossed four scoreless innings as the Pirates earned their first Central Valley Conference win by beating Reedley College on the road 5-3 on Saturday.

A pair of two out errors in the fifth by Reedley (14-5, 5-3 CVC) allowed all four runs to score.

Pirates starting pitcher Nicholas Frey was cruising, holding the Tigers scoreless through the first four innings and hitless for three. With PC up 5-0, he ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth. Reedley scored all three of its runs before an out was recorded but Kuhron Patrick came in with runners on first and third base was able to limit the damage.

Patrick and Jason Kramlich went on to hold Reedley scoreless for the remainder of the contest and PC held on for the win. Patrick picked up the victory as he allowed two hits and struck out four over three innings. Kramlich closed it out, tossing the final two innings to earn the save.

Porterville totaled 10 hits in the contest, led by a 3-for-5 day at the plate from Chris Ortega. His RBI single in the third inning scored Justin Francis and gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Saturday's win snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Pirates. Porterville improved to 3-18 overall and 1-7 in the Central Valley Conference. PC will take a break from conference play and hosts Sacramento City College on Thursday (Mar. 17) in a non-conference game at 2 p.m.