Softball: Falcons come back in thrilling fashion to win, 7-6

Falcons celebrate after scoring winning run against Cypress
Falcons celebrate after scoring winning run against Cypress

Trailing, 6-3 heading into the bottom of the 11th inning, the Cerritos College softball team scored four times to come away with a 7-6 win against visiting Cypress College on Monday. The win was the third in a row for the Falcons (15-7) and their first over the Chargers since April 5, 2014, which snapped a 16-game losing streak. The team will resume South Coast Conference play on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. when they travel to Los Angeles Harbor College.

In the bottom of the 11th inning, freshman outfielder Morgan Fontela (Long Beach Millikan HS) and sophomore first baseman Celeste Carbajal (Mayfair HS) led off with consecutive singles, while the team had runners at first and third with two outs. Sophomore Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) came through with an RBI single, while a base hit from sophomore third baseman Natalie Basurto (Walnut HS) plated another run. On the throw to first base, the ball got away, which allowed Macias to come around and score and put Basurto at second base. Sophomore catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton Union HS) finished off the comeback with an RBI to right field that brought home Basurto.

Cerritos didn't collect their first hit until the sixth inning when they were trailing 3-0. Freshman designated player Isabelle Casanova (Lakewood HS) led off by reaching on an error and advanced to third base on a double by Macias. Basurto and Velazquez followed with back-to-back RBI singles to tie the game heading into the seventh inning.

Sophomore pitcher Reanna Carranza (El Rancho HS) allowed six runs (two earned) and 14 hits, but recorded critical outs all game long. The Chargers left runners in scoring position in nine of the 11 innings, but Carranza (15-7) was able to limit the damage.

Basurto finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Macias (two runs, RBI), Velazquez (two RBI), Carbajal and sophomore shortstop Marley Manalo (Walnut HS) all had two hits on the day.

Photo courtesy of Cerritos Softball