Lockhart Tosses Gem, Softball Wins Second Straight

The Riverside City College softball team remains in the hunt for the 3C2A playoffs and looked to stay in the conversation by hosting the Santiago Canyon College Hawks in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) action on Friday afternoon. The Tigers were held to four hits, but a clutch fifth inning run and a gutsy pitching performance from freshman starter Chloe Lockhart carried them to a 1-0 win.

Lockhart toed the slab for the 13^th time this season and did not disappoint. She began her outing with striking out the first batter then closed out the inning with a punchout. She found herself in some trouble in the second inning, but was able to fan another batter and relied on a shoestring grab down the left field line from freshman left fielder Alyssa Carlisle to close the frame.

She made quick work of the Hawks in the bottom of the third inning by forcing a groundout to freshman shortstop Destinee Gonzales, backed by a closing out the top of the fourth inning with an unassisted groundout to freshman first baseman Marina Montalvo.

The bats were quiet throughout the majority of the game, but a one-run fifth inning decided the outcome. After two quick outs, Gonzales clutched up with a single to center field. She later came around to score on a deep double to center field off the bat of freshman third baseman Adrianna Montalvo.

Lockhart made quick work of the hawks in the sixth inning capped by another strikeout swinging. The Hawks threatened by putting runners on second and third with two outs in the seventh inning, but Lockhart forced a game-ending flyout to sophomore center fielder Sophia Franco-Colis to call game.

"I feel really good," said Lockhart after her complete-game shutout performance. "I think we did amazing today."

M. Montalvo's RBI was crucial to Lockhart's first-career shutout after a stagnant offense from start to finish.

"That moment was breathtaking. We work on that a lot in practice and seeing that moment live it action. To see that moment unfold was great."

Lockhart (9-9) went the distance while scattering just six hits; all singles. She punched out four batters and issued a mere two walks.

A. Montalvo, Lockhart, sophomore second baseman Sarah Franco-Colis and Gonzales were the only players to barrel hits. A. Montalvo's was the game winner, while Gonzales two-out knock led to the lead.

Riverside (14-19, 6-9 OEC) have seven games remaining on their schedule. They will hit the road to face off against Saddleback on the road next Wednesday, April 19 in conference play.