Softball: Falcons score four in seventh inning for 9-8 playoff win

File Photo: Celeste Carbajal tripled home two runs to help the Falcons come back for a 9-8 win
File Photo: Celeste Carbajal tripled home two runs to help the Falcons come back for a 9-8 win

Trailing 8-5 heading into the top of the seventh inning in their Southern California Regional Playoff game, the Cerritos College softball team scored four times and posted a 9-8 victory. The win in their first round best-of-3 playoff series against Los Angeles Mission College gives the Falcons (29-12) a 1-0 series lead. The second game of their series will be played on Saturday at noon at College of the Canyons.

In the top of the seventh inning, sophomore outfielder Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) drew her third walk of the game and promptly stole second base. That put her in scoring position for sophomore third baseman Natalie Basurto (Walbut HS), who singled to drive in Macias to start the comeback. After sophomore first baseman Nadia Landeros (Warren HS/Rio Hondo College) singled, sophomore designated player Celeste Carbajal (Mayfair HS) came up with two outs. She then tripled in both runners on a ball hit to deep right field, which tied the game. Freshman second basebal Ayiana Cardenas (Walnut HS) gave the Falcons a 9-8 lead with her single.

Sophomore pitcher Reanna Carranza (El Rancho HS) opened the bottom of the seventh inning by walking Sevannah Miller, but got the next three batters out to earn the win. She tossed a complete game and gave up eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits and struck out a pair.

The Falcons opened a 5-1 lead after a four-run third inning, which was highlighted by an RBI single from Landeros, while a pair of errors on the play allowed two more runners to score. Sophomore catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton Union HS) followed with an RBI single.

On the day, Landeros went 3-for-3 with two RBI and scored a pair of runs, while Macias walked three times, scored three runs and stole a pair of bases. Her two thefts now give her 47 on the year, which is two away from breaking the school's single-game record of 48 by CaPree Williams in 2008.