Seventh run 7th Inning Softball Burst Knocks Chaffey Out of First
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — The Husky bats are at it again.
The East Los Angeles College softball team rallied for a seven-run seventh inning smack fest and stunned Chaffey College in the Huskies second 5-0 deficit rally win of the season.
ELAC defeated Compton College 15-7 on February 23 after falling behind 5-0. Today’s stunner over Chaffey comes against the No. 11-ranked team in the current California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association (3CFCA) SoCal Poll.
More importantly the Husky victory knocked Chaffey out of first place of the South Coast Conference North Division.
The tough schedule ELAC plays is paying off as it is the first win against a ranked team in five tries. It couldn’t come at a better time, in SCC North Division play. The Huskies goal of reaching the playoffs this season is still on with the shocker.
Down 5-0 after two frames, the Huskies beefed their bats with four hits and two runs in the top of the third inning.
The inning opened with three straight Husky sophomores smacking singles – second baseman Sara Serrano (Baldwin Park / Sierra Vista High School), catcher Ralynda Delarea (Glendale HS) and short stop Angelina Gonzales (Gabrielino HS). Sandwiched in between the hits, right fielder Dominique De Alba (Bell Gardens HS) reached first base on an error from Chaffey. The Huskies settled for two runs and exited the top third the inning with the bases loaded.
In the bottom of the inning, freshman pitcher Angelita Villalvazo (Stockton / Edison HS) replaced freshman pitcher Majisty Shomo (Alhambra / Century HS) who pitched two innings while giving up eight hits and striking out one. Chaffey added a run, loaded the bases and Villalvazo shut down the threat with two big strikes.
When the Panthers led 6-3 in the top of the seventh and after two outs, they were one out away from a win. With the home crowd hollering for the victory, the Huskies had other plans.
ELAC followed the two outs with three straight singles from sophomores – first baseman Jessica Hernandez (South El Monte HS), center fielder Mone't Manning (Northview HS) and left fielder Samantha Alvarado (Edgewood HS). Chaffey led 6-4 then had a pitching change.
After a walk, Serrano reached first on an error followed by three straight singles from De Alba, Delarea and Gonzales. ELAC led 10-6. Suddenly it was the Huskies’ sound filling Lowder Field for the win. In the bottom of the seventh, Chaffey scored a run and had runners at the corners. Villalvazo closed out the inning and squelched any comeback from the home team.
Villalvazo was the winning pitcher and stands at 1-0. She pitched the final five innings. She calmed down the Chaffey bats as the Panthers managed just scatteredbtwo hits against her in the five frames. Villalvazo has a save to go along with today’s win. She is ranked in the Top-25 statewide with the save.
The Huskies outhit Chaffey 12-10. Alvarado led the ELAC bats. She doubled, singled and finished with two runs batted in. Gonzales singled twice with two RBIs.
Two Huskies singled twice, each with an RBI—Hernandez and Serrano. De Alba singled in an RBI, Delarea singled twice and Manning singled.
Chaffey freshman right fielder Tatyana Carvajal (Patriot HS) led the Panthers. She singled twice and ended up with two RBIs. Panther freshman designated player Lisette Rosales (Nogales HS) doubled, singled and had an RBI.
Manning has a batting average of .467 and is ranked in the Top-50 in the state from about 900 women. With three homeruns, she is ranked in the Top-25. On the mound, Alvarado has three wins, fourth-best among her conference rivals.
Next Up
With the win ELAC improves to 7-8 overall and 1-2 in SCC North play.
The Huskies continue play with two straight home games. ELAC hosts a tough Citrus College team (11-6) tomorrow at 3 p.m. and plays SCC North rival Rio Hondo College (3-13-1, 0-2) next Tuesday at 3 p.m. in a big game. A Husky win puts them in a tie for third place in conference.
Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).
story submitted by Tadzio Garcia