Pirates edged 3-2 in NorCal Playoff opener at San Joaquin Delta

Porterville College freshman Auzia Mosley drove in two runs while sophomore Alexis Rodriguez allowed just one earned run but the No. 14 Pirates couldn't come away with the upset win and suffered a narrow 3-2 loss at No. 3 San Joaquin Delta College On Friday in the opening game of their California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Northern California Regional Playoffs series.

The Pirates must win two games on Saturday to keep their postseason hopes alive. San Joaquin Delta will look to close out the set with Game 2 scheduled for a 12 p.m. first pitch. A Porterville victory would force a deciding third game immediately to follow.

Trailing 2-0 after three innings on Friday, Porterville rallied for two runs in the top of the fourth inning to tie up the game. But the Mustangs responded with a run in the bottom of the frame that proved to be the game-winner.

Rodriguez (12-8) was impressive in the circle, holding a potent Delta offense that had averaged over seven runs a game this season to just three. She scattered nine hits and struck out two over her six-inning effort to keep the Pirates in the ball game.

Mosley (2-for-4) and Shantae Gutierrez (2-for-3) both had two hits to lead PC at the plate. Kuea Angilau went 1-for-2 and drew a pair of walks.

The loss dropped Porterville to 24-16 overall while Delta improved to 33-5.