The Cerritos College softball team surrendered a pair of home runs in their 7-2 non-conference home loss against Riverside City College on Friday. The setback dropped the Falcons to 0-3 to start the season, while the team will look for their first win next Wednesday in a 2:30 p.m. non-conference game at Cypress College.

The Tigers (1-1) broke open a 2-0 game with four runs in the top of the fourth inning, thanks to a three-run home run from Bailey Powell. Sophomore starting pitcher Jamie Ramirez (El Rancho HS) walked the leadoff batter, gave up a hit and then hit the next batter to load the bases. After Austin Schmidt drove in a run with a fielder's choice, Powell launched the first offering over the right-center field fence for a 6-0 Riverside lead. Ramirez, who also gave up a solo home run to Breanna Valles in the third inning, (0-2) took the loss.

Cerritos pushed across single runs in the bottom of the fourth and sixth innings. In the fourth, sophomore Haley Whitney (Warren HS), freshman catcher Haley Petruccelli (Torrance HS) and sophomore shortstop Stephanie Olivas (Warren HS) all drew walks to start the stanza. After an out was recorded, freshman designated player Krystal Purkey (Gahr HS) sent a deep fly ball to left field, but it stayed in the park for a sacrifice fly.

The team picked up their other run when Olivas led off the sixth inning with a walk, followed by a single from freshman second baseman Monique Ramirez (Torrance HS). With two outs, freshman outfielder Joanna Perruccio (Long Beach Wilson HS) singled in a run. The inning ended on a play at the plate when sophomore Arianna Hernandez (Santa Fe HS) tried to score on a fielding error.

Photos by Daryl Peterson