For one inning against visiting Pasadena City College, it appeared as though the Cerritos College softball team had overcome their deficit and put themselves in place for a big win. But aside from their six-run second inning, the Falcons (19-15) were held off the board in a 12-6 South Coast Conference crossover loss to the Lancers (24-12). Cerritos will get right back at it, as they travel to Compton College for a 3:00 p.m. SCC South Division game.
The Lancers scored three times in the top of the first inning, with the help of three Falcon errors, before taking advantage of a PCC defensive miscue in the second inning. Freshman third baseman Deja Sendejas (El Rancho HS) led off with a double that fell out of the reach of Pasadena City left fielder Nat Velasquez. An infield single by freshman outfielder Kayla Aros (Torrance HS) was followed by an infield RBI single from sophomore second baseman Rain Vega (La Mirada HS). Sophomore outfielder Emma Wolff (Mayfair HS) advanced both runners with a sacrifice, while sophomore catcher Briana Lopez (Norwalk HS) drove in the second run with a fielder's choice.
With two outs, freshman outfielder Brianna Spoolstra (Mayfair HS) loaded the bases with a single. Up stepped freshman first baseman Keira Bolinas (Torrance HS), who laced a base hit to right field, which plated a run. On the play, Lopez was caught in a rundown between third base and home. Lancers catcher Jeneve Medrano threw the ball down the third base line, which cleared the bases, giving Cerritos a 6-3 lead.
After that inning, the Falcons collected just one hit, as starting pitcher Brittany Lopez set down eight of the final 10 batters she faced. Angel Wintercorn came on to pitch the final three innings and retired all nine batters to earn the win.
Pasadena City took a 9-6 lead after plating five runs in the sixth inning and added three more runs in the seventh inning to close out the scoring. On the day, the Lancers out-hit the Falcons, 18-7, with seven different players getting one hit each for Cerritos.
Photos by Daryl Peterson
