By Rodolfo Trujillo and Edgar Lopez
A late rally was not enough to help the softball team, who came up short in a 5-4 non-conference loss against Los Angeles Valley College, Friday at ELAC. The loss leaves the Huskies with 9 wins and 15 losses overall, 4-6 in conference play. “We came out flat,” Head Coach Erika Blanco said.
The Huskies allowed a run in the first inning, as pitcher Janessa Martinez struggled to get going. “I think I underestimated them,” Martinez said. The Huskies had a tough time against the Monarchs’ defense. In the bottom half of the first inning, they went down consecutively.
During the second inning, the Huskies managed to get on base four times but only scored one run on a double by Melissa Sanchez. The inning ended with a double play and one Husky left on base.
The Huskies were in control during the third inning with Martinez striking out the first batter and only allowing an infield single. During the bottom half, Husky Natalie Gutierrez managed to score as a result of a sacrifice fly.
During the second inning, the Huskies managed to get on base four times but only scored one run on a double by Melissa Sanchez. The inning ended with a double play and one Husky left on base.
The Huskies were in control during the third inning with Martinez striking out the first batter and only allowing an infield single. During the bottom half, Husky Natalie Gutierrez managed to score a run as a result of a sacrifice fly.
During the bottom of the sixth inning, the Huskies had a chance to put another run on the board. During a hit Vanessa Mijares turned the corner at third and headed for home, as Valley’s catcher was ready to tag her out. Mijares’ foot crashed into the catcher’s glove as she slid toward home, causing the catcher to drop the ball.
Unfortunately for Mijares, she slid past the plate without touching it, allowing Valley’s pitcher to grab the ball and tag Mijares for the out, ending the inning. In the top of the seventh, Valley’s Stephanie Ortega singled for in two RBIs, pushing Valley’s lead to 5-2.
With Valley leading, 5-2, and with two outs, Husky Jesy Wrtaza belted in two RBIs with a double after Michelle Contreras walked and Elsie Ramirez was hit by a pitch. With runners at the corners, due to an error by Valley’s second baseman Evelyn Aguilar, second baseman Mijares hit a chopper to Valley’s first baseman, Sarah Riojas, for the final out of the game.
The Huskies will play at conference rival Cerritos, ranked No. 9 in the state, on Tuesday. The Huskies return to ELAC to play El Camino College Compton Center in another conference game on Thursday. Both games are at 3:00 p.m.