Hawks Dock Pirates in Shutout Effort

The Santiago Canyon College softball team looked to make it two wins in a row on Friday afternoon as they played host to the Ventura College Pirates in non-conference action. Despite only barreling three hits, the Hawks were able to blank the Pirates and etch one run in the bottom of the third inning en route to a win.

Sophomore hurler Madison Lee took to the circle for the fifth time this season and got off to a great start by retiring the side in order for her first two innings of work.  She allowed her first hit of the game on a bloop single to right field, but promptly retired the next two batters of the inning on a flyout to sophomore center fielder Alyssa Patlan and a foul out downt he left field line that landed in the glove of freshman shortstop Millie Maher.

The Hawks struck in the bottom of the third inning sparked by a lead off two bagger from sophomore catcher Raneem Kerdiya. She advanced to second on a groundout from Lee and later came around to score on a ground out from Patlan to grab a 1-0 lead.

Ventura threatened in the fourth inning after reaching base on a single to start the frame. However, their hopes were axed by a groundball double play on a highlight worthy pick from sophomore second baseman Selena Salcido. She tossed the ball to Maher at second who fire a missile over to freshman first baseman Kiana Bell for the double play.

The Pirates were rennetless as they loaded the bases up with two outs in the top of the fifth, but Lee wiggled out of the jam by forcing a lineout to Patlan in center to hold on to the Hawk's one-run advantage.

Freshman reliver Nadeen Kerdiya entered in to pitch in the top of the sixth inning and slammed the door. She allowed just one hit in two innings of work leading to a 1-0 win.

Lee (2-3) earned the victory by tossing five innings and scattering four hits while fanning two batters. N. Kerdiya (Sv, 1) earned her first career save by chucking the final two frames.

R. Keridya led the offense by going 2-for-2 with a double, walk and run scored. Patlan had the lone RBI, while Maher had the team's other base knock which came in the first inning. She also swiped a bag in the process.