Softball team still second in the conference after win over Pasadena

The weather was 70 degrees and sunny Tuesday as the Warriors prepared to face the Pasadena City College Lancers in their second conference match up this season.

The Warriors won their second consecutive game after defeating Pasadena 12-8 in seven innings. That’s six wins for EC in their last seven games.

“I think we did well today even though we were behind early. We stayed in the game [and] stayed positive,” sophomore outfielder Samantha Lauro said.

EC got off to a slow start scoring once after the Lancers scored twice in the first. The next inning both teams were scoreless.

“I felt we were on attack mode nice and early,” Coach Jessica Rapoza said. “I felt like we swung at really good pitches [and] I felt like we went out to attack.”

By the bottom of the third inning the Warriors were down 3-2. EC regained the lead by scoring two runs in the fourth inning.

“I felt like we swung at really good pitches [and] I feel like we went out to attack,” Rapoza said.

The Warriors had a strong fifth and sixth inning. In the fifth, the Warriors scored four runs. Sophomore Reina Trejo had a stellar game with two RBIs and five strikeouts. Lauro stole second, advanced to third, and scored on an error by the Pasadena catcher.

“Lauro came in to pinch runs and she scored on a play,” Rapoza said. “[Lauro] is probably one of the best base runners I’ve ever had because she looks to get to the next base.”

In the sixth inning EC continued to crank out hits and scored four runs, clenching the lead. Sophomore catcher Gabby Fordiani, sophomore short stop Tori Garcia, and Trejo were among those to score.

“We did really good. I felt like we worked together as a team and we [had] timely hits,” sophomore second baseman Marissa Padilla said.

At the top of the seventh inning the Lancers tried to rally scoring three runs. EC shutdown the Lancers with their defense and their offensive scoring.

“We did good hitting today,” first baseman Danielle Bonsky said. “I feel like[Lauro] triple steal really helped us out and really got us pumped.”

The Warriors next game is March 12 at Compton Center at 3:00 p.m.

“I feel like we just build momentum and once we start doing good we do better and better and we just come together as a team,” Padilla said.