Seventh-Inning Rally Leads Softball past East Los Angeles

After snagging an early lead in a non-conference showdown against the East Los Angeles Huskies on the road, the Riverside City College softball team found themselves down by two runs following a rocky bottom of the fifth inning. A three-run top of the third inning rally sparked by a pair of RBI knocks led the Tigers to 6-5 victory for their second-concesutive win. 

Sophomore starting pitcher Chloe Lockhart took to the circle and worked out of some first inning trouble with runners on first and third with one out. She capped the inning with a ground ball back to her, which she tossed home for a tag out, and a punch-out looking. Her second frame was much more efficient by retiring the side in order which featured a strikeout.

Offensively, the Tigers struck first in the top of the second inning as Lockhart crossed home on an error from the Huskies' shortstop. They added two more runs the following inning beginning with a two-out double off the barrel of freshman catcher Cassidy Cooper, scoring freshman third baseman Marina Montalvo. Sophomore first baseman Alicia Fitzgerald followed a batter later with a single up the middle to score Cooper, bringing the score to 3-0.

East Los Angeles turned on the burners in the bottom of the fourth inning by etching five runs to back the Tigers in a corner. Despite the rough frame, Lockhart continued to keep the game close as she retired six of the next seven batters she faced to set up a dramatic seventh inning.

Freshman first baseman Giuliana Danovaro sparked a rally in the top of the seventh inning by blasting a triple. After a walk issued to M. Montalvo, sophomore center fielder Sophia Franco-Colis singled up the middle to plate Danovaro. Fitzgerald struck once more by recording a one-out single to hand the Tigers a 6-5 lead.

Lockhart came out for her seventh inning of work and did not have much trouble slamming the door. Despite a leadoff bunt single, she retired the next three batters via pop up leading to the win.

Lockhart (3-3) went the distance after allowing five runs on eight hits. She finished with a trio of punch outs.

Danavaro led the offense by going 3-for-3 with a triple, while Fitzgerald clocked in a 2-for-4 day with three RBI.