COD Softball Splits Doubleheader with Victor Valley

The College of the Desert softball team (11-16; 5-9) experienced a full spectrum of emotions in a home doubleheader split against Victor Valley College (20-16; 7-8). The Roadrunners dropped a heartbreaking 13-10 decision in 10 innings in game one before bouncing back in dominant fashion with a 15-1 mercy-rule victory in game two.

The win in the nightcap snapped a four-game losing streak against the Rams, a program COD has historically controlled since their first meeting in 1988.

Game 1: Rams Edge COD in 10-Inning Slugfest

COD jumped out to an early 2-1 lead and held it until Victor Valley evened the score in the fourth inning. The Rams broke through with a six-run fifth inning, but the Roadrunners answered immediately, plating three runs to cut the deficit to 8-5 before adding two more to make it a one-run game.

Trailing late, COD rallied to tie the game at 8-8 in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. Both teams traded two runs in the ninth, but Victor Valley ultimately pulled away with a three-run 10th inning to secure the win.

The contest marked COD's longest game in four seasons. The last extra-inning game of 10 or more innings came on April 1, 2022, when the Roadrunners played a 14-inning marathon in Menifee against the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles. The most recent home game of similar length was a 10-inning contest against the LA Valley Monarchs on March 23, 2019.

Offensively, several Roadrunners delivered standout performances:

• Alyssa Martinez Sanchez (So., RF, La Quinta H.S.) went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs, marking her fourth game this season with three or more hits.
• Danika Cisneros (So., CF, California Connections Academy - Bermuda Dunes) recorded a career-high four hits, going 4-for-6 from the No. 2 spot.
• Nevaeh Walls (Fr., C, Shadow Hills H.S. - Indio) finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs, her third three-hit game of the season.
• Irie Gonzalez (Fr., RF, Indio H.S.) added a 2-for-5 effort with a run scored.
• Amariz Rodriguez (Fr., SS, Shadow Hills H.S. - Indio) went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI.

In the circle, sophomore right-hander Tatiana Salinas (Rancho Mirage H.S.) turned in a career-high 10 innings of work.

Game 2: Roadrunners Respond with Offensive Explosion

COD wasted no time turning the page in game two, erupting for seven runs in the first inning while sending 12 batters to the plate. The offensive surge continued in the third, where the Roadrunners pushed across six more runs, adding two in the fourth to complete the 15-1 rout.

Sanchez got the start in the circle and delivered her third five-inning mercy-rule victory of the season, allowing just one run while striking out three. She also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Additional offensive highlights included:

• Cisneros went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored, recording her fourth game of three or more hits this season.
• Walls matched a season high with three runs scored.
• Jenna Bell (Fr., C, La Quinta H.S.) finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
• Salinas, playing third base in game two, went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and tied a career high with four RBIs.
• Samantha Beltran (Fr., 2B, Shadow Hills H.S. - Indio) added a 2-for-3 performance with a run scored and a season-high four RBIs.

Up Next

The Roadrunners close out the 2026 season on Tuesday, April 22, hosting Mt. San Jacinto College at 6 p.m. for Sophomore Night.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Darbie Catalfamo Photography.