After spotting visiting El Camino College a 3-0 lead after the first inning, the Cerritos College softball team had a huge comeback in store for their guests. The Falcons (8-5, 3-1), who posted a 12-8 South Coast Conference win, scored seven times in the fifth inning, led by a grand slam from freshman outfielder Marley Manalo (Walnut HS). Cerritos, winners of three in a row and six of their last seven, have changed venues for Friday's game, which will now be played at 1:00 p.m. at Long Beach City College. With rain on the horizon, and the Vikings playing on their new turf field, the schools thought they would try and get in the game instead of having to reschedule another contest.

Cerritos pulled to within 3-2 after a two-run home run from sophomore first baseman Richere Leduc (California HS) in the bottom of the third inning. El Camino extended their lead to 5-2 in the top of the fifth inning befor the Falcons responded with their big inning.

Freshman outfielder Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) led off with a double and advanced to third base on a wild pitch during a walk to Leduc. Freshman pinch-runner Jocelyn Doan (Walnut HS) stole second base and after sophomore designated player Maddy Guillen (La Puente HS) drove in the first run with a base hit, Doan was credited with stealing home after freshman pinch-runner Natalie Basurto (Walnut HS) was able to get back to first base after getting caught in a rundown. Doan was able to beat the throw to the plate for a Falcons run.

Sophomore shortstop Miranda Diaz (California HS) followed with an infield hit and after sophomore third baseman Brooklyn Bedolla (Mayfair HS) drew a walk, the bases were loaded. El Camino brought in Destiny Ostorga to pitch. Manalo deposited Ostorga's first pitch over the left field fence for a grand slam. Before the inning was over, Macias drove in the team's seventh run with a base hit.

The Falcons added three more runs in the sixth inning on a bases loaded walk to freshman catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton HS), followed by RBI singles from freshman pinch-hitter Celeste Carbajal (Mayfair HS) and sophomore second baseman Alyssa Sotelo (El Rancho HS).

Sophomore Courtney Callison (Santa Fe HS) came on in the fifth inning and tossed two innings to earn the win, while Leduc tossed the seventh inning and struck out a pair while allowing a run. Sophomore Samantha Islas (Roosevelt HS) started the game and went the first four innings.

Macias led the way with three hits, while Guillen and Manalo each added a pair of hits. Leduc reached base three times, as she walked twice.

Photos by Daryl Peterson