Lee’s One Hitter Leads Hawks to Victory over Riverside

Sophomore hurler Madison Lee has been a workhorse for the Santiago Canyon College softball team in the circle. So far this season, she has chucked 138.2 innings in 25 appearances posting a sub-four ERA with over 70 punchouts. However, the ball hasn't rolled her way of late as the Hawks have dropped five-consecutive games.

(Photo by Reyes Silva Cruz)

Despite the team's recent struggles, Lee got her Hawks back on track by tossing a one-hit shutout in the opening game of a three-game series against the Riverside City College Tigers on Tuesday afternoon leading an 8-0 mercy-rule victory.

The Hawks ended the game in five innings highlighted by etching a six spot in top of the fourth inning.

Lee was masterful in her efforts as she allowed just one hit that came in the bottom of the second inning. Despite walking the previous batter, she capped the frame with a swinging strikeout. She finished her outing by consecutively retiring the final six batters she faced highlighted by a game-ending punch out.

Offensively, SCC barreled nine hits leading to eight runs. In the top of the third inning, freshman second baseman Millie Maher got the train chugging with a one-out single through the left side and promptly swiped second. Red-hot sophomore center fielder Alyssa Patlan followed by blasting a two-bagger down the left field line, allowing Maher to score.  Freshman third baseman Kiana Bell capped the frame with a single to left, plating Patlan, to snag an early 2-0 lead.

The flood gates burst open for the Hawks in the top of the fourth inning with six runs coming across to score. After Lee led off with a free pass and freshman left fielder Tasneem Kerdiya singled, freshman first baseman Kaitlin Murphy sent both runners home on a base knock up the middle.

Maher notched her second hit of the game a batter later and stole her second bag of the game to set up runners in scoring position with nobody out. Patlan struck again with a sacrifice groundout to score Murphy.

Sophomore catcher Raneem Kerdiya reached base on a hit by pitch to keep the inning churning. Bell, who is carting one of the hottest bats in the lineup, sent both R. Kerdiya and Maher home on an infield single. Freshman shortstop Yazmine Garcia capped the inning with a RBI groundout to second base, scoring Bell, to secure an 8-0 mercy rule victory.

Lee (8-14) tossed five strong innings leading to four punchouts and one hit. Additionally, she went 1-for-2 at the dish with an RBI and run scored.

Bell led the offense on a 2-for-3 day resulting in three RBI and a run scored. Patlan went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored, while Maher notched a two hit day leading to a pair of runs scored and two stolen bases.