As the sun descended and the air cooled the EC softball team defeated Rio Hondo College in their home-opener.

The Warriors came out strong beating Rio Hondo 17-1 in five innings. In the bottom of the first inning outfielder, Kristen Romero, and sophomore shortstop, Tori Garcia, scored the first two runs of the game.

“We came together as a team and did what we were supposed to,” freshman catcher, Gabriella Fordiani, said. “We started strong and we continued to do that.”

Keeping up the momentum Fordiani hit the ball to center field letting her get to first baseman. Marissa Padilla advanced to second and sophomore right fieldder, Reina Trejo, ran home and scored. At the end of the first inning the Warriors scored eight runs.

“We’ve been working really hard since the summer time so just now I get to kind of sit back relax and watch them play, have fun and kind of execute what we’ve learned,” coach Jessica Rapoza said.

The Warriors dominated the game capitalizing on hits and defensive errors made by the Rio Hondo. They played up and dove for every ball shutting the visitors out. The entire game Rio Hondo tried to rally but they couldn’t keep up with the Warriors’ intensity.

“I think the intensity was natural just cause it was a good game,” Rapoza said. “They were putting the ball in play (and) they were making us make plays.”

By the fourth inning a cold breeze settled over the field and everyone in the stands began to bundle up. This didn’t seem to faze the Warriors as Garcia hit the ball to center field, sophomore outfielder Samantha Lauro, advanced to second and Abigail Medina and sophomore first baseman, Danielle Bonsky, raced to home plate both scoring on the same play.

At the bottom of the fourth with two runs Lauro and Garcia helped edge the Warriors to victory. On defensive end the Warriors continued to make stops and preventing Rio Hondo from scoring.

“I feel like our philosophy as a team is a really good philosophy and if we just stick to that game plan and don’t veer off we are going to be OK,” Rapoza said.

The Warriors have a 5-0 record as they continue to gain momentum and gear up for their next game on Feb. 4 at 2:30 p.m. at Cypress College.

“I think me and my team we are going to work really hard on our defense and keep tight in practice and work hard,” freshman pitcher, Sierra Gabriel, said. “(We) come in strong with a confident mind set and focus on what needs to get done to win our games this week and next week.”