El Camino College scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and two more in the second to provide all the offense the Warriors would need to defeat visiting Rio Hondo College 6-3 on Tuesday in Torrance.

The South Coast Conference loss dropped the Roadrunners to 5-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

Starting pitcher Madeline Peralta took the loss after allowing five earned runs and eight hits over the opening 3 1/3 innings. Yaritza Lechuga pitched well in relief, holding the Warriors scoreless over the final 2 2/3 innings.

Trailing 6-0 in the top of the seventh, the Roadrunners' late comeback attempt fell short. Back-to-back singles by Mia Morales and Azucena Enriquez followed by an error on a fly ball hit by Katherine Arroyo loaded up the bases with no outs for Rio Hondo.

Catherine Aquino came through in the clutch, lacing a single up the middle to clear the bases and cut the El Camino lead in half. But on the play, Aquino was out at second base after a throw to the plate to hurt the chance of an extended rally. Warriors' reliever Clarissa Chiquete was able to get the final two outs of the game to end the threat.

Rio Hondo will look to snap a three-game losing streak on Thursday (Feb. 20) when the Roadrunners travel to Pasadena City College for a 3 p.m. South Coast Conference game.