By Kennedy Collier

One of the most beautiful, and often most romanticized, aspects of baseball is its randomness. The possible outcomes that can occur when one sole person throws a 235-millimeter sphere of cowhide, yarn and rubber would make any lover of sports or mathematics smile with glee. But, this randomness can cut both ways and instantly betray anyone leaving them heartbroken.

This heartbreak was certainly present Saturday as the Moorpark College Raiders lost both games to their county rival, the Ventura College Pirates, in a doubleheader. The Raiders lost 9-1 and 12-3 in the first and second game respectively.

The day was perfect for baseball as the two teams faced off in what would be the fifth and sixth games against each other. The Raiders were hoping to improve on their hot start to the season after winning five of their last eight games. Unfortunately for the Raiders, the Ventura College Pirates had other plans.

Those plans included getting nine hits in the first game and twelve in the second. There was even a grand slam served up by Ventura's Max Baldaccini in the second inning of the second game, an inning where Moorpark gave up seven runs.

Head Coach Mario Porto was not satisfied with the performance of his team.

"It's tough. We played two games tonight and our pitchers had two clean innings where we went 'one, two, three.' It's hard to play when every time you look up, you have people on base," said Porto.

However, Porto was optimistic about his team's ability to bounce back from the less than amazing result the team is capable of. He emphasized the importance of making sure the team works hard in all aspects of the game.

"It's not just (preparing) physically, it's the mental part too. That's what hurts us the most, the mental part of playing the game," Porto explained.

There were a few notable highlights that were sparked by the Raiders, especially in the second game.

Alex Vega, a sophomore that plays first and third base, hit a beautiful fly ball that almost went all the way but ended up bouncing out for a ground-rule double.

When asked about the team's recent struggle, Vega thinks these setbacks are only temporary.

"I feel like we just have to focus on aspects where we are lacking as a team, in practice," the infielder stated. "As long as we rebuild that confidence and trust in each other I think we will be fine."

Another notable play came in the top of the sixth inning during game number two as freshman right fielder, Spencer Perry, made an immaculate diving catch that would easily make it within ESPN's top ten plays.

But it wasn't all smiles from the right fielder as he too knew that the team could perform better.

"We have to come out to practice. Work hard. We got this," freshman Perry explained.

Hopes are high for the Moorpark College baseball team. They hope to take the lemon that is a shortened season and turn it into victory lemonade. But with recent struggles, the team is hoping to collect themselves and reorganize into the winning team they are worthy of being.