Softball Splits Pair of Games Against Cypress, Canyons

TORRANCE, Calif. – El Camino College hosted the second triangular of the season against Cypress College and College of the Canyons on Saturday at the ECC Softball Field.

Less than a week after sweeping the Chargers and Cougars, the Warriors had to settle for a split on Saturday at home.

EL CAMINO COLLEGE 8, COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS 0 (5 Innings)

The Warriors closed out the day in spectacular fashion, pounding out 12 hits including four extra-base hits to record the run-rule victory over the Cougars.

Diamond Lewis was perfect at the dish as she went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base. Jocelyn Hernandez and Helaina Gallardo each recorded two hits and an RBI while Alena De La Torre and Mina Nakawake got their only hits of the day in the fifth inning, each driving in a run to clinch the victory. Nakawake also swiped two bases and scored a run.

Elizabeth Cortez was stellar in the circle, shutting out the Cougars by allowing just two hits and a walk in five innings pitched. She struck out five and pitched out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the third inning to preserve the shutout and the Warriors three-run lead at the time.

The trouble started when Cayla Calderon struck out but reached base after catcher Marissa Garza could not secure the ball. Kayla Yamane and Rena Edwards then singled to load the bases and give the Cougars a prime opportunity to cut into or completely erase the Warriors' 3-0 lead at the time.

But Cortez got Natsuki Kameyama to hit a weak grounder just a few feet in front of the plate. Cortez charged and flipped the ball to Garza at home for the force out. Cortez then struck out Sierra Boyajian to end the threat and keep ECC ahead 3-0.

The Cougars would never get another baserunner into scoring position.

Meanwhile, the Warriors tacked on three runs in the fourth inning to blow the game open and then recorded two doubles and a single to begin the fifth to score the final two runs needed for the run-rule win.

CYPRESS 7, EL CAMINO COLLEGE 2

In the opening game of the day, the Warriors and Chargers battled early in a close game before the Chargers pulled away late to avenge Sunday's loss to ECC.

The Chargers took a quick lead on ECC as Amanda Campos led off the game with a single and then scored on a double to the right-center field gap from Infinity Lafou to make it 1-0. Kimberly MacPherson then hit a two-out, RBI single to center to plate Lafou and put Cypress up 2-0.

After the rocky start, Hernandez settled down in the circle for the Warriors and retired 11 straight batters to keep the game close.

But Chargers' starting pitcher Janea Brannan was just as good, holding the Warriors scoreless through four innings despite allowing a baserunner in each frame.

In the fifth, the Warriors offense finally got going as Lewis started things off with a one-out single to right field. Hernandez then doubled to plate Lewis and trim the deficit in half before Kylee Perryman locked things up with a single up the middle to bring in Hernandez and make it 2-2.

The Warriors would eventually load the bases in the inning but Brannan struck out Sidra Montoya to end the threat and keep the game deadlocked.

That proved pivotal as the Chargers bats came alive again in the final two frame, bringing in five runs on five hits and one Warriors error to blow the game open.

Brannan allowed a baserunner in the sixth and seventh inning but kept the Warriors off the board to secure the win.

The Warriors will return to action on Monday afternoon as they welcome Orange Coast to the ECC Softball Field for a make-up game of a rainout from Feb. 8. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.