Early Lead Squandered against Top-Ranked Fullerton

The Santiago Canyon College softball team looked to snap its two-game skid against the top-ranked Fullerton College Hornets on Tuesday afternoon. Despite snagging an early three-run lead, the Hawks allowed Fullerton to score four runs in the following three frames without any answer leading to a 4-3 defeat.

The Hawks etched their first run of the game on a throwing error committed by the Fullerton shortstop. Freshman second baseman Millie Maher and sophomore center fielder Alyssa Patlan reached base to kick off the inning with a walk and a fielder's choice, respectively. Sophomore catcher Raneem Kerdiya laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners and put them in scoring position with one out. Freshman third baseman Kiana Bell put the ball in play a batter later to forcing the throwing error allowing Maher to score.

Santiago Canyon added to their lead in the top of the third inning. R. Kerdiya sparked the offense with a one-out single and later came around to score on an RBI double from Bell. Freshman designated player Isabella Altamirano drove Bell home a batter later with a single to center field to pad the Hawks lead at 3-0.

Freshman hurler Madison Lee took to the circle and blanked the Hornets throughout her opening three frames. She allowed a leadoff hit in the first inning, but forced three-consecutive groundball outs to cap the frame. She followed by retiring the first two batters in the second inning beginning with a strikeout. However, she quickly found herself in treacherous waters after the Hornets loaded the bases shortly after, but she forced a flyout to freshman left fielder Tasneem Kerdiya to end the inning.

Lee finished her third frame unscathed which featured one strikeout swinging, but the Hornets came back strong in the ladder half of the contest. They added two runs in the bottom of the fourth via long ball, followed by a run each in the fifth and sixth innings to eventually hand the Hawks a 4-3 loss.

Lee (8-17) went the distance and allowed 11 hits and four runs while fanning three batters.

The Hawks only managed to secure five hits. Bell had the lone extra base hit as she barreled a double and pocketed an RBI. Altamirano had the team's second RBI after she went 1-for-2 on the day.