Early Runs Pace Warriors Win over Rio Hondo at Home

TORRANCE, Calif. -  El Camino College scored six runs in the first two innings in a 6-3 win over Rio Hondo College on Tuesday afternoon at the Warrior Softball Field.

The Warriors (5-2, 1-2) picked up their first South Coast Conference win of the season.

Elizabeth Cortez picked up the win after throwing four scoreless innings and allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out four batters.  Clarissa Chiquete pitched the last three innings for the Warriors. 

Madeline Peralta took the loss for the Roadrunners (5-7, 2-2) after allowing six runs (5 earned) on eight hits.

The Warriors pounded out eleven hits for the game with three players having multi-hit days.   Mina Nakawake was 2-for-2 with one run and one RBI, Amber Patterson was 2-for-2 with one RBI, and Sarah Reels was 2-for-3 with one run scored.

The Warriors jumped on the Roadrunners from the first inning.  Ria Cardreon led the inning off with a double to right field. Marissa Garza was hit by a pitch.  Ria Cardreon stole third and the catcher threw it away to left field and Cardreon scored on the play.  Mina Nakawake singled in Garza in the next at-bat. Amber Patterson would single in Nakawake before the end of the inning to give the Warriors an early 3-0 lead.

The Warriors added three more runs in the second inning.  Sarah Reels and Elizabeth Cortez led the inning off with back-to-back singles.  Cardreon got on base on an error by the left fielder that scored Reels on the play.  Marissa Garza smacked a double to center field to bring in two more runs in the inning.

The Roadrunners scored three runs in the seventh inning on four hits and an error but it wasn't enough to overcome the Warriors 6-0 advantage at the start of the inning.  

The Warriors will now host Palomar College on Wednesday afternoon.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 PM.