With six games in the next nine days for the Cerritos College softball team, they were in need of a strong pitching performance. On Thursday against visiting East Los Angeles College, freshman Sierra Gerdts (Montebello HS) tossed a three-hitter, as the Falcons (13-10) posted a 2-1 win. The victory over the Huskies (14-11) comes on the heels of East LA defeating Mt. San Antonio, 2-0 earlier in the week. Mt. SAC is ranked #2 in the state and #1 in Southern California. The team will now travel to Citrus College tomorrow for a 1:00 p.m. non-conference game.

Cerritos scored both of their runs in the bottom of the second inning, which would be all the offense they need with Gerdts in the circle. Freshman outfielder Kayla Aros (Torrance HS) led off with a walk and stole second base, with freshman outfielder Deja Sendejas (El Rancho HS) following with a single. Sophomore second baseman Rain Vega (La Mirada HS) brought in the first run on a ground out, while sophomore catcher Briana Lopez (Norwalk HS) drove in the eventual game-winning run with a two-out triple.

East Los Angeles scored their lone run in the fourth inning on a two-out Monet Manning home run. The Huskies did threaten in the sixth inning when Angelina Gonzalez doubled, while Jessica Hernandez and Manning drew two-out walks. But Gerdts got Samantha Alvarado to fly out and end the inning. She set East LA down in order in the seventh inning to earn the win.

Photos by Daryl Peterson