On the strength of their four-run first inning, the Cerritos College softball team was able to post an 8-2 South Coast Conference win over Los Angeles Harbor College on Tuesday. The Falcons (10-4, 3-1), winners of three games in a row, will play their next three games on the road, which includes a 3:00 p.m. conference game at El Camino College on Thursday.

After giving up one run in the top of the first inning, sophomore outfielder Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) led off the bottom of the stanza with a double and moved to third base on a single by sophomore third baseman Natalie Basurto (Walnut HS). Sophomore catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton Union HS) plated Macias with a sacrifice fly, followed by a walk to freshman outfielder Morgan Fontela (Long Beach Millikan HS). With runners at second and third base, sophomore shortstop Marley Manalo (Walnut HS) singled up the middle to drive in two more runs. Sophomore designated player Celeste Carbajal (Mayfair HS) drove in the final run of the inning with a two-out single.

Sophomore pitcher Reanna Carranza (El Rancho HS) scattered nine hits and pitched a complete game to earn the win. She struck out four batters on the day and worked out of a bases loaded situation in the second inning. Then, with runners at first and third in the fifth inning, Velazquez threw out Ashley Parra for the third out when she tried to steal second base.

Offensively, Macias drove in a run wirth a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, while Manalo brought in her third run of the game on a ground out in the fifth inning. Consecutive sacrifice flies from Basurto and Velazquez in the sixth inning accounted for the final two runs of the game.

Macias and Basurto each had a pair of hits for the Falcons, while Manalo (three RBI) and Velazquez (two RBI) provided the majority of the offense.

Photos by Daryl Peterson