Spotting visiting Santa Ana College a 2-0 lead, the Cerritos College softball team fought back and went on to post a 9-4 non-conference win on Saturday at Nancy Kelly Field. Winners of three in a row and seven of their last nine games, the Falcons (19-9) will host Mt. San Antonio College at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday in a South Coast Conference game.

Sophomore outfielder Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) was the catalyst in leading the Falcons back and taking the lead. She led off the bottom of the first inning with a single, stole second base and moved to third on a passed ball. She came home on a fielding error to make it a 2-1 game. Then, in the bottom of the second inning, Macias hit her first home run of the season when she launched a three-run blast with two outs. Freshman second baseman Ayiana Cardenas (Walnut HS) reached base when she was hit by a pitch, while sophomore outfielder Jocelyn Doan (Walnut HS) drew a walk.

The Falcons added to their lead in the fourth inning, thanks in part to five walks. Doan, Macias, sophomore third baseman Natalie Basurto (Walnut HS) and sophomore shortstop Marley Manalo (Walnut HS) all walked in consecutive at-bats to score a run, while sophomore catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton Union HS) slapped an RBI double. Sophomore designated player Celeste Carbajal (Mayfair HS) followed with a two-run single, putting Cerritos in front, 8-2.

Sophomore pitcher Reanna Carranza (El Rancho HS) scattered four hits through the first four innings until the Dons scored twice, with an error playing a role in the fifth inning. Although Cerritos committed six errors in the game (a season-high), only one played a role in Santa Ana scoring. She left five Santa Ana runners in scoring position in earning the win, while striking out two batters on the day.

Macias finished the day 2-for-3 with three runs scored, two walks, three RBI and stole a pair of bases. She leads the state with 32 swipes and has not been caught, while Macias is now just the fourth Falcon player in school history to steal at least 30 bases in a season.

Photos by Daryl Peterson