The Warriors defeated the Fullerton College Hornets 8-3 on Sunday and clinched a ticket to the next round of the softball playoffs, according to CCCAA.

El Camino came out strong and scored four times in the bottom of the first inning.

Runs from sophomores Tori Garcia (shortstop), Kristen Romero (outfielder), Danielle Bonsky (third baseman), and Marissa Padilla (second baseman) put the Warriors up early over the Hornets.

Sophomore catcher Gabby Fordiani had three RBIs, one stolen base and two doubles. The Warriors scored three more runs in the fourth inning that gave the home side a 7-1 lead. Romero, Bonsky, and sophomore right-fielder Samantha Lauro earned one RBI apiece.

Fullerton earned one run at the top of the fourth and two at the top of the fifth inning.

However, the Warriors were too much for the visitors and scored another run by Padilla in the fifth inning when Lauro singled to right field. The run cemented EC’s victory over the Hornets.

The Warriors move on to the second round of the playoffs and will face Citrus at Palomar College on May 8. That match will start at 4 p.m.