Softball Clips Eagles in Six Innings

The Santiago Canyon College softball team took to its home diamond for the first time in two weeks on Thursday afternoon in a rescheduled non-conference contest against the LA Mission College Eagles. The Hawks had everything working compliments of 12 hits and a shutout performance in the circle from sophomore hurler Madison Lee leading to an 8-0 mercy rule victory.

Lee was handed the pearl for her 12^th start of the season and absolutely shoved. She allowed a mere four hits throughout six innings of work. While she authorized just one base runner in her first two innings of work, but found herself in a third-inning jam.

The Eagles notched two-consecutive hits in the top of the third inning to threaten for the first time in the game. However, Lee retired the next batter via strikeout. She then forced a flyout to freshman center fielder Haley Perez who gunned down a potential runner heading home to end the inning.

The Hawks plated their first run in the top of the first inning with two outs. Sophomore left fielder Alyssa Patlan was plunked with one out in the inning and then advanced to second base on a ground out. Sophomore catcher Raneem Kerdiya followed with a two-out single to center fielder to send home Patlan.  

SCC struck once again in the bottom of the third inning after freshman right fielder Calysta Maciel reached on an error by the pitcher. She later came around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman third baseman Yazmine Garcia.

The offensive flood gates opened in the bottom of the fifth inning after Lee shut down the Eagles in the top half of the inning. She forced a ground ball double play back to herself, backed by a diving grab by Maciel down the right field line to cap the inning.

The bats went to work in the second half of the inning as Maciel and freshman shortstop Millie Maher reached base on consecutive singles with one out in the inning. Patlan followed by laying down a bunt single and forcing a throwing error on the third baseman. This allowed Maher and Maciel to touch home. Garcia followed with a RBI single up the middle, backed by freshman first baseman Kiana Bell hitting a hard groundball to the third baseman that was too hot to handle, allowing Garcia to pack her bags for home plate. 

The Hawks ended the game early when the bottom of the sixth inning rolled around. After Lee retired the side in the top half of the frame, Maciel started the rally with a one out base hit to left center field and advancing to second on an error by the left fielder. She would come around to score on a throw from the Eagle's catcher due the stealing Maher. Maher would come around to score on the ensuing game-ending triple from Patlan leading to an 8-0 win.

Lee (4-8) earned her fourth win in the circle after tossing six strong by scattering four hits and etching a trio of punch outs. She retired the side in order three times. 

Patlan led the potent offense by going 3-for-3 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored. Maher was flawless at the dish going 4-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and her fifth stolen base of the season. Maciel went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while R. Kerdiya notched a pair of base knocks which included a double and an RBI.