Sophomore starting pitcher Reanna Carranza (El Rancho HS) took full advantage of the early run support her teammates provided and went on to toss a 3-hitter in an 8-0 win over Pasadena City College. The South Coast Conference win at Nancy Kelly Field on Thursday evened the Falcons record at 1-1, while they are 8-4 overall. The Falcons will travel to Compton College on Friday for a 1:00 p.m. conference game. The Tartars have been the talk of the state, as they have opened their season with an 11-2 record, which includes a win over state power Mt. San Antonio College.

Cerritos got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when sophomore outfielder Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and then stole second base. Sophomore third baseman Natalie Basurto (Walnut HS) reached on an error, while sophomore catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton Union HS) drove in the first run with a double. Basurto came home to score on a fielder's choice from sophomore shortstop Marley Manalo (Walnut HS), with the third run scoring on a base hit by freshman outfielder Morgan Fontela (Long Beach Millikan HS).

The runs would be enough offense for Carranza (8-4), who limited the Lancers (3-7, 0-3) to a base hit in the first inning and two more in the third inning. With runners on first and second base in the third inning, Carranza got Alyssa Guzman to pop up, while Breanna Negrete hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning. She went on to retire eight of the final nine batters she faced to cap off the five-inning mercy win.

The Falcons opened the second inning with runners on first and third after sophomore outfielder Jocelyn Doan (Walnut HS) walked, stole second base and moved to third on a passed ball while Macias also walked. Basurto doubled home the first run of the four-run inning before Velazquez plated another run with a sacrifice fly. Manalo followed suit with a sacrifice fly, while Fontela drove in her second run of the game with a single.

The foursome of Basurto, Velazquez, Manalo and Fontela each drove in two runs, while the team drew five walks and stole five bases in the win.

Photos by Daryl Peterson