Pirates rain down on Hornets to win a pair
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Orange Coast | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 0 |
|
Fullerton | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
FULLERTON -- The Orange Coast College softball team battled the elements and walked out of soggy Fullerton College with a pair of crucial Orange Empire Conference wins, topping the Hornets 4-0 and 6-5 on Friday afternoon.
The Pirates (12-2 overall, 4-0 in the OEC) wrapped up an earlier-started game and prevailed thanks in large part to the pitching of Daniella Sanchez, who improved to 5-0 with a complete-game win. She held the Hornets (4-11, 0-4) scoreless on five hits with three strikeouts.
Olivia Pedraza went 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI for OCC. Kimora Tuipala added a hit and two RBI, while Isabel Lopez went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
After completing Tuesday's halted game, Friday's matchup began and the Hornet bats found immediate life, but so did the Pirates, who trailed 5-4 through the opening three innings.
In the top of the fifth, OCC's Reyna Hernandez reached second base on a fielding error and Jasmyn Morales made that sting with an RBI-double to right to tie the game at 5.
It was a textbook softball run scored for the Pirates in the top of the sixth. Kelsey McNair singled to lead off the frame and was moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Frida Esters. McKenzie Koshi got McNair to third with a single to right and Pedraza gave the Pirates the lead for good with a sacrifice fly to center.
Camila Hernandez minimized damage in relief for the Pirates, throwing the final six innings to collect the win, allowing two runs on four hits with a strikeout, retiring the final nine batters she faced.
The third game of the series between the Pirates and Hornets will take place under sunnier circumstances next week. Date and time to be determined soon.
The next scheduled home game for the Pirates will take place on Tuesday, March 25 against Golden West, beginning at 2 p.m.
