On Thursday, the Cerritos College softball team broke a 2-2 tie with visiting Rio Hondo College with a six-run fifth inning. The run support helped the Falcons (7-5) post a 10-3 win, which is the team's third in a row. They will now host defending state champion Cypress College at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Nancy Kelly Field.
The fifth inning started with freshman first baseman Keira Bolinas (Torrance HS) drawing a walk, while sophomore second baseman Rain Vega (La Mirada HS) singled and freshman outfielder Kayla Aros (Torrance HS) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Falcons took a 3-2 lead when freshman catcher Deja Sendejas (El Rancho HS) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, while freshman pinch-hitter Nicoal Magdaleno (La Habra HS) followed with a two-run double. The inning was kept alive when sophomore third baseman Briana Lopez (Norwalk HS) was hit by a pitch. The bases were loaded again when freshman shortstop Tena Spoolstra (Mayfair HS) drew a walk, while freshman outfielder Brianna Spoolstra (Mayfair HS) brought in another run with a walk. The final two runs came home via wild pitches.
Freshman starting pitcher Sierra Gerdts (Montebello HS) lasted just 2 2/3 innings and came out after allowing a two-run home run, followed by a walk. Freshman Allisyn Udell (Whittier Christian HS) came on in relief and went the rest of the way to earn her first collegiate win. She allowed one run on four hits over the final 4 1/3 innings.
Cerritos added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Tena Spoolstra doubled home a pair of runs, as the team drew two more walks in the stanza. On the day, Vega went 3-for-4 while the team drew eight walks and were hit by a pair of pitches.
Photos by Daryl Peterson
