Softball: Falcons suffer 3-2 loss in conference opener

File Photo: Marley Manalo homers against Pasadena City
File Photo: Marley Manalo homers against Pasadena City

Playing their first game since February 21, the Cerritos College softball team dropped a 3-2 decision to host Pasadena City College in their South Coast Conference opener on Thursday. The Falcons (5-5, 0-1) will turn right around and travel to Compton College for a 3:00 p.m. conference game on Friday.

Leading, 2-1, Cerritos saw the Lancers (7-5, 1-0) score single runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings to come away with the win. The Falcons took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman outfielder Marley Manalo (Walnut HS) led off with a walk and advanced to second base on a single from freshman catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton HS). A single by sophomore outfielder Alyssa Capps (Downey HS) looked to have loaded the bases, but an error allowed Manalo to come around and score. Cerritos ended up leaving the bases loaded.

Sophomore starting pitcher Courtney Callison (Santa Fe HS) took the loss after pitching 5+ innings. She was removed in the bottom of the sixth inning after allowing a leadoff double to Jaime Harris, with sophomore Richere Leduc (California HS) coming into the circle. With one out, Leduc tossed a pair of wild pitches, which allowed Harris to come in and score.

Manalo, who hit a solo home run in the top of the third inning, scored both of the team's runs, while seven different players collected one hit each.