Warriors softball takes back-to-back wins against LA Mission Eagles in double-header

By Madison Moody • March 11, 2026

El Camino College right-handed pitcher Mahlia Espino throws the ball to LA Mission College firstbaseman Victoria Gomez at the ECC softball field on Saturday, March 7. Espino finished the game with four strikeouts in the opener of the Warriors’ doubleheader. (Ryan Hirabayashi | The Union)

Inner Field player #27, Miranda Morales — El Camino College secondbaseman Miranda Morelos does the "money" celebration after she gets a hit and gets to first base. (Ryan Hirabayashi | The Union)

The El Camino College Warrior women’s softball team brought their win streak to four after playing a double-header against LA Mission College.

The Warriors took home a 11-3 win in the second game, with teamwork and guidance from players Miranda Morelos, Abigale Dedech, and Sophia Munguia on Saturday, March 7 at the ECC softball field.

Utility Morelos played her last softball game of the year with energy and fun, despite some injuries sustained from playing.

“I’m currently facing a navicular fracture in my left foot, which is my power foot hitting, and it kind of hurts to just maneuver,” Morelos said.

Morelos made many appearances throughout the game, ending her season with 16 games played, 36 plate appearances and 34 at-bats.

First Game

#11 Mahlia espino — El Camino College right-handed pitcher Mahlia Espino throws in all seven innings in their first game of a double header against LA Mission College at the ECC softball field on Saturday, March 7. The Warriors won the opener 5-3. (Ryan Hirabayashi | The Union)

The Warriors had a slow start at 11 a.m., with the LA Mission leading 2-1 until the end of the sixth inning. That was when they were up by five points thanks to second base player Munguia, who put the Warriors in the lead until the end of the first game with 5-2 after fouling the ball more than once.

In the end, the Warriors won 5-3.

Second Game

The Warriors then kicked off the second game with only six innings. Infielder Kate Pedroza led the game as a hitter, performing two strikes back to back.

The Eagles took the lead 1-0, but the Warriors came in for a redemption arc by the fourth inning, exceeding five runs by the sixth.

Warriors head coach Jessica Rapoza noticed a difference between the first and second games with the at-bats on the field.

“We had a better mindset. We looked like our swings were trying to hit the ball harder game two,” Rapoza said.

LA Mission head coach Chris Hylland explained that his team had one bad inning during both games.

“You gotta be mentally tough and ready for the situation, and today we were not,” Hylland said.

What’s Next

Coach Rapoza is in her 11th term as one of the head coaches for the Warriors softball team. She plans to clean up defense and make sure players keep the hunter mentality for their next away game against LA Harbor College on Tuesday, March 10.

“You gotta ride the roller coaster a little bit and stay the course and not get too up or too down,” Rapoza said.