The Cerritos College softball team needed just five innings to post their 8-0 South Coast Conference win over East Los Angeles College at Nancy Kelly Field on Thursday. With the win, the Falcons are now 12-6 overall and 4-3 in conference play. They will travel to Palomar College on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. non-conference game.

They made the most of their offensive opportunities and scored in four of the five innings. In the bottom of the first inning, sophomore outfielder Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) led off with a walk, stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. She then came home on an RBI double from sophomore catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton Union HS). A single and stolen base by sophomore outfielder Nadia Landeros (Warren HS/Rio Hondo College) put runners on second and third, which set the table for a sacrifice fly from sophomore outfielder Marley Manalo (Walnut HS).

Sophomore pitcher Reanna Carranza (El Rancho HS) scattered two hits and a hit batter to earn the complete game win. After consecutive base hit and hit batter put runners on first and second base with one out in the third, Carranza (12-6) went on to retire the final eight batters she faced for her 15th complete game of the season.

In the third inning, Macias led off with a walk and stole another base before sophomore third baseman Natalie Basurto (Walnut HS) drew a walk. A dropped fly ball off the bat of Velazquez allowed the first run to score, with Manalo bringing home two more with a one-out single. Both Basurto and Manalo each drove in a run in the fourth inning, with the final run coming when East LA catcher Juliet Verdugo dropped the ball on a force out at the plate, which ended the game.

Macias concluded the game going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base, while Manalo was 2-for-2 with four RBI. Macias currently leads the state with 23 stolen bases on the year.

Photos by Daryl Peterson