The top two teams in the South Coast Conference squared off on Thursday, with the Cerritos College softball team looking to leapfrog into first place. The end result was a tough 3-2 loss to first place Mt. San Antonio College, who improved to 25-3 overall and 13-2 in conference play. The loss drops the Falcons to 20-8 overall and 11-3 in conference play. Things don't get any easier for Cerritos, who will host Ventura College (21-9) in a non-conference doubleheader on Friday starting at 11:00 a.m. at Nancy Kelly Field.

The #11-ranked Falcons took a quick 1-0 lead when freshman catcher Vicky Najera (El Rancho HS) clubbed a two-out solo home run, her first of the season. Cerritos had a chance to add to their lead in the second inning when freshman designated player Maddy Guillen (La Puente HS) led off with a walk, but was stranded at second base.

Freshman starting pitcher Samantha Islas (Roosevelt HS) escaped a first inning where the #1-ranked Mounties advanced a runner to third base. She retired seven of the next eight batters she faced. However, in the third inning, Mt. SAC put a pair of runners on base. With two outs, Emily Barba clubbed a three-run home run, which would turn out to be the Mounties only offense of the day. Islas set down 10 of the last 12 batters she faced in the game.

The Falcons closed the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth inning when freshman shortstop Miranda Diaz (California HS) scored on a double play ball. Diaz opened the inning by drawing a walk. Freshman Negasse Williams (Aliso Niguel HS) led off the ninth inning with a single, but Cerritos was doubled up again and could not push across the tying run.

Photos by Daryl Peterson