Freshman outfielder Itzel Soto (Long Beach Millikan HS) capped off a 4-for-4 day by driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead the Falcons to a 4-3 non-conference win over visiting Ventura College on Friday. The Falcons (7-7), who trailed, 3-0 at one point, entered the seventh inning trailing, 3-2.

Freshman outfielder Haley Davis (Mayfair HS) led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double into the left-centerfield gap and then advanced to second base on a single by sophomore shortstop Tena Spoolstra (Mayfair HS) under the glove of Pirates (5-6) third baseman Serrina Cabral. With one out, sophomore third baseman Kayla Hernandez (Santa Fe HS) grounded a ball to Cabral, and when she threw over to first base for the out, Davis raced home with the tying run. Soto then ended the game by lifting a 2-0 pitch over the head of second baseman Kali Brown, which brought home Spoolstra.

The Pirates opened up a 3-0 lead by scoring twice in the second inning, with an error leaving the door open for the run production. A two-out hit by Ventura pitcher Jessica Mendoza off freshman pitcher Skyler Swearingen (Mayfair HS) put them in front, 3-0. Swearingen, who came on in relief of sophomore starter Sierra Gertds (Montebello HS), earned the win by pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing just one run on six hits.

Cerritos started their comeback in the bottom of the third inning when Davis reached base on a fielder's choice, stole second with two outs and raced around the bases when Spoolstra beat out a bunt single. In the bottom of the sixth inning, sophomore outfielder Victoria Medina (Whittier HS/Rio Hondo College) drove in Soto with a two-out base hit.

In addition to Soto going 4-for-4, Davis, Spoolstra and Medina all added two-hit games.

The Falcons were scheduled to play a doubleheader at Grossmont College on Saturday, but inclement weather has canceled the games. Cerritos will now host El Camino College at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday in a South Coast Conference game.

Photos by Daryl Peterson