Softball: Cerritos sees Mt. SAC score four times to post win

File Photo: Vicky Najera and the Falcons dropped a 6-4 decision to Mt. San Antonio
File Photo: Vicky Najera and the Falcons dropped a 6-4 decision to Mt. San Antonio

One out away from a South Coast Conference win over visiting Mt. San Antonio College on Thursday, the Cerritos College softball team saw their opponents score four times in the seventh inning and come away with a 6-4 decision. The Falcons (2-2, 0-1) will now travel to Central California on Saturday to face both Fresno City College and host Cuesta College.

Trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, Cerritos was able to push across four runs on just two hits. After catcher Vicky Najera (El Rancho HS) and shortstop Miranda Diaz (California HS) drew walks to open the inning, third baseman Brooklyn Bedolla (Mayfair HS) hit a ground ball, with the Mounties looking to record a force out at third base. But Mt. SAC third baseman Olivia Ortiz mishandled the ball, allowing one run to score. With one out, first baseman Richere Leduc (California HS) tied the game with a run-scoring single, while a fielder's choice from outfielder Negasse Williams (Aliso Niguel HS) allowed another run to score. The final run came on a base hit from outfielder Angelica Gonzalez (Sierra Vista HS).

Freshman pitcher Samantha Islas (Roosevelt HS), who recorded the final out of the first inning, retired 17 of the first 19 batters she faced. However, she walked pinch-hitter Arely Coronado to lead off the seventh inning. With two outs, Brianna Goris tied the game with her second home run of the game. A walk and single was followed by a two-run double, which turned out to be the game-winning runs.

Other than the fourth inning, the Falcons saw only one runner advance as far as second base, while the team's five hits were spread out over five hitters.