Through the first three innings of their non-conference game on Monday at Santiago Canyon College, the Cerritos College softball team was holding a commanding 11-2 lead. They went on to record a 12-5 win, which improved their overall record to 17-9. The team will resume South Coast Conference play on Thursday with a 3:00 p.m. game at East Los Angeles College.

In the top of the first inning, sophomore outfielder Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) led off with a single and stole second base. She advanced to third base on a single by sophomore third baseman Natalie Basurto (Walnut HS) and scored when the two pulled off a double-steal. After a base hit by sophomore shortstop Marley Manalo (Walnut HS), Basurto scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of sophomore outfielder Nadia Landeros (Warren HS/Rio Hondo College).

The scoring continued in the top of the second, as the Falcons added four more runs to their total. Freshman second baseman Ayiana Cardenas (Walnut HS) led off with a single and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by freshman outfielder Morgan Fontela (Long Beach Millikan HS). Sophomore outfielder Jocelyn Doan (Walnut HS) reached base on a bunt single and stole second base, which gave Cerritos runners at second and third. Macias stepped up and beat out an infield single for an RBI, while the Falcons pulled off their second double-steal of the game, with Doan scoring. Manalo and Landeros followed with run-scoring hits to increase the lead to 6-1.

In the third inning, the Falcons loaded the bases on a walk and a pair of singles. Manalo drove in the first of five runs with a single, while sophomore catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton Union HS) doubled in a pair of runs. Sophomore designated player Celeste Carbajal (Mayfair HS) kept the inning going with an RBI single.

Sophomore pitcher Reanna Carranza (El Rancho HS) scattered seven hits and struck out three batters to earn the complete game victory. She allowed three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, which extended the game to a full seven innings.

At the plate, Macias went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and stole four bases, while Manalo drove in three runs and was 3-for-4. Basurto, Carbajal and Doan all finished with a pair of hits in the win.