College of the Canyons scored a run in the top of the eighth inning, which allowed them to post a 4-3 non-conference win over the Cerritos College softball team on Friday at Nancy Kelly Field. The Falcons (9-3), who held a 2-0 after the first inning, surrendered three solo home runs to the Cougars (4-1-1). The team will travel to Riverside City College on Monday for a 3:00 p.m. non-conference game.

With the score tied 3-3, Cerritos left a runner on third base in the sixth and seventh innings, which sent the game into the eighth. With two outs, Canyons Emily Smith hit a solo home run off sophomore pitcher Ana Pedroza (La Mirada HS/Caldwell (NJ) University). The Falcons were able to get freshman outfielder Cheyann Samuelson (Western HS) to second base with two outs in the bottom of the inning. However, sophomore outfielder Joanna Perruccio (Long Beach Wilson HS) grounded out to end the game.

In the bottom of the first inning, College of the Canyons pitcher Kaitlyn Reed (4-1) struggled with control and walked the bases loaded after sophomore third baseman Crystal Cano (Norwalk HS/Lynn (FL) University) hit an opposite field home run. Sophomore catcher Krystal Purkey (Gahr HS) singled home the second run of the inning, but the Falcons left the bases loaded.

The Cougars used a pair of solo home runs by Lauren Anderson in the third inning and Julianna Carlos in the fourth inning to the the game at 2-2. They took a 3-2 lead on a Milana Casilla base hit that drove in Erica Esparza in the fifth inning.

The Falcons tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Cano and freshman shortstop Jenny Collazo (Paramount HS) led off the consecutive singles. Sophomore first baseman Haley Petruccelli (Torrance HS) lined out to third base and pinch-runner Roxanna Jensen (Havre, MT) was doubled up. But Purkey was able to drive in the tying run with a two-out single.

Photos by Daryl Peterson