It has been a rollercoaster of a season on the links for the Ventura College men's golf team.

The Pirates won the Glendale Invitational March 16 and finished second in the Southern California Invitational March 14. But they've also slumped to fifth- and sixth-place finishes in WSC play at Citrus March 28 and Santa Barbara City Feb. 21, respectively.

The top three of Andy Bennett, Brett Silvernail and Kevin Dann, who have combined to average a 76 in WSC play, have been strong.

But the Pirates have struggled for consistency at the bottom half of the lineup.

"It hasn't materialized," said Ventura coach Bob E. Smith. "I don't know what it is. They start second guessing themselves, they get a little negative and that puts more pressure on their entire golf game."

Coming off a third-place finish Monday at Elkins Ranch, Ventura (18-18), which sits in fourth place, remains hopeful of a postseason berth.

"That's progress," said Smith of Monday's performance, which included a 1-under 70 from medalist Andrew Garcia and a 78 from Vince Rodriguez. "I think they're going to peak at the right time."