On Saturday afternoon, the Cerritos College softball team saw their season come to an end with a 10-5 Southern California Regional Playoff loss to College of the Canyons. The #9-seeded Falcons (22-18) led for the second day in a row, but could not stave off the #8-seeded Cougars (28-14), who scored in each of the last five innings.
The highlight of the day was a two-run home run from sophomore catcher Briana Lopez (Norwalk HS), who got the team to within 8-5 in the top of the sixth inning. It was her 19th of the season and left her one home run shy of tying the college's single-season record of 20 home runs hit by Samantha Vaaulu in 2009.
Cerritos opened the game by scoring single runs in the first two innings to take a 2-0 lead and added a third run in the next stanza. College of the Canyons scored once in the second inning and tied the game with a pair of runs in the third inning making it a 3-3 game. They took the lead for good with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and went on to pull away.
In the first inning, freshman outfielder Kayla Aros (Torrance HS) walked with one out, moved to second base on an infield out and scored when freshman first baseman Keira Bolinas (Torrance HS) singled. With two outs in the second inning, freshman designated player Nicoal Magdaleno (La Habra HS) reached on an infield single, followed by a walk to sophomore outfielder Emma Wolff (Mayfair HS). Lopez, who finished the game with three RBI, drove in her first of the game with single up the middle to drive in Magdaleno.
The first three batters in the third inning reached, with freshman outfielder Brianna Spoolstra (Mayfair HS) lacing a single to center, followed by consecutive walks to Bolinas and freshman third baseman Kayla Hernandez (Santa Fe HS). That brought on a pitching change, with Joy Veloz striking out both Sendejas and sophomore second baseman Rain Vega (La Mirada HS). Magdaleno, who finished with three hits, gave the team a 3-1 lead with a base hit, but Cerritos left the bases loaded.
Three errors aided the Cougars, as three of their runs were unearned. Freshman Sierra Gerdts (Montebello HS) took the loss after allowing seven runs (five earned) in 4 1/3 innings.
The Falcons ended their season leading the state in walks for the sixth year in a row. However, they will not be able to add to their 163 total, with several teams not far behind still alive in the postseason.
August 1, 2018
Softball: State home run leader signs with Arizona Christian
May 4, 2018
Softball: Defensive miscues hurt Falcons in loss
April 29, 2018
Softball: Briana Lopez named All-American
April 28, 2018
Softball: Kodee Murray named conference's Coach of the Year
April 28, 2018
Softball: Falcons seeded #9 for playoffs
April 24, 2018
Softball: Regular season finale results in 6-3 win
April 20, 2018
Softball: Brianna Spoolstra drives in six in Falcons win
April 19, 2018
Softball: Big innings propel Falcons to win
April 18, 2018
Softball: One big inning not enough in loss to Pasadena City
April 16, 2018
Softball: Ventura scores late runs to defeat Cerritos
April 12, 2018
Softball: Wind-blown loss to LB City gives Vikes the series
April 10, 2018
Softball: Consecutive wins for the Falcons over LA Harbor
April 6, 2018
Softball: Cerritos gets shut out by Cypress, 5-0
April 5, 2018
Softball: Lack of clutch hitting hurts Falcons in loss
April 3, 2018
Softball: Two more home runs for Lopez against Compton
April 2, 2018
Softball: Team battles back for 9-5 win
March 30, 2018
Softball: Briana Lopez powers Falcons past Citrus
March 29, 2018
Softball: Solid pitching performance leads Falcons
March 20, 2018
Softball: Seventh-inning runs lead Falcons to win
March 13, 2018
Softball: Falcons shut out by Mt. SAC, 6-0
March 6, 2018
Softball: Battle for first place ends in 10-3 loss
March 1, 2018
Softball: Lead holds up in conference victory
February 24, 2018
Softball: Timely hitting & strong pitching help Falcons win
February 22, 2018
Softball: Falcons pound Long Beach City, 10-2 in five innings
February 20, 2018
Softball: Briana Lopez clubs walk-off home run for the Falcons
February 16, 2018
Softball: Winning streak comes to an end with loss
February 15, 2018
Softball: Six-run inning leads Falcons to win over Rio Hondo
February 13, 2018
Softball: Clutch win comes with two runs in seventh inning
February 12, 2018
Softball: Power, pitching, patience and defense come together in win
February 10, 2018
Softball: Falcons split pair of games
February 8, 2018
Softball: Late-inning runs not enough against Mt. SAC
February 7, 2018
Softball: Comeback falls short in loss to Santiago Canyon
February 6, 2018
Softball: Early runs not enough to overcome in 4-1 loss
February 2, 2018
Softball: Grand slam propels Falcons to win
January 30, 2018
Softball: Coach Murray sets school record with 503rd win
January 27, 2018
Softball: Big innings hurt Falcons in loss
January 26, 2018
Softball: Cerritos walks their way to Kodee Murray's 502 career win