Successful programs don't just close up shop when things get tough, which is why Tuesday was such an important day for the Moorpark College softball team.

The Raiders started 8-2, but three season-ending injuries left them on the brink of being unable to complete the season for the second time in three years.

"We have been struck with so many injuries this year," said second-year coach Kelly Lovato. "Every game, it's been something different."

Sophomore Lynzy LaRocca tore a muscle in her shoulder. Sophomore Tina Casillas, who joined the team in midseason, hurt her shoulder diving after a ball. Another player quit.

But the biggest blow came March 1, when second baseman Elizabeth Prieto, the team leader in batting average, took the mound to try to get the final two outs of a 7-0 loss to Glendale.

Prieto took a line drive in the face, fracturing her nose, her brow bone and her season.

"It was awful," said Lovato.

Without nine players, Moorpark (17-24, 8-14) forfeited that game and the next two before reinforcements like former Moorpark High player Jami Duclos arrived and enabled the Raiders to affect the Western State Conference's Gold Division race with a 6-4 come-from-behind win over leader Ventura on Tuesday.

Moorpark trailed 4-0 in the fourth inning, but scored once in the fourth, twice in the fifth and three in the sixth to reduce Ventura's lead over second-place Cuesta to one game with three to play.

"We went through that dilemma with what happened to Liz Prieto," said Lovato. "We didn't know what was going to happen. Luckily, we were able to get a few new players and keep the season going."

The Raiders' fight didn't end Tuesday. They host Cuesta in a doubleheader today, when another win can alter the momentum of the race.

"We're the spoilers," said Lovato.

Ventura wraps up its season with a home doubleheader against last-place Los Angeles Pierce (6-31, 4-18) today and a home game Tuesday against Oxnard, which has a solid 12 wins in its debut softball season.

Down the stretch: With eight games to play in the WSC North baseball race, Santa Barbara City (27-7, 13-4) holds a two-game edge over Cuesta (20-14, 11-6) and a three-game lead over Moorpark (20-14, 10-7).

Santa Barbara visits Ventura today and Moorpark visits Oxnard.

Three of the top four in WSC hitting are local products Joey Siddons of Oxnard (.486), Junior Solis of Ventura (.452) and Eric Komatsu of Oxnard (.438).