Offense Ignites as Warriors Advance with Rout over Santa Ana

TORRANCE, Calif. – El Camino College scored piled it on early and cruised to a 12-3, run-rule victory over Santa Ana to win their California Community College Softball Southern California Regional series on Saturday.

The Warriors (33-9) scored 11 runs in the first two innings of the ballgame including six in the bottom of the first to take control of the game and they never looked back. The team pounded out 12 hits on the day with four players logging multi-hit games. Helaina Gallardo went 2-for-2 with a run scored and three RBI. Ashley Machado was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and a two-run triple with Alyssa Wing, Jasmine Krauss and Amie Crawford all logging two-hit games.

Clarissa Chiquete tossed four innings in the circle and picked up the win, allowing one run on four hits. She walked two and struck out one.

The offense started out on fire as the Warriors loaded the bases before an out was recorded in the first inning. Following a ground ball that resulted in the first out, Gallardo stepped in and opened the scoring with a two-run single back up the middle.

Kassidy Robinson followed with a single to right to score Machado from second and make it 3-0. A bunt single from Krauss forced an error at first that allowed another run to score and then Robinson stole home to make it 5-0.

Crawford capped the inning with an RBI single to center to put the Warriors up 6-0 and they never looked back.

The Warriors have now advanced to the second round of the CCCAA Playoffs for the second straight season and will await to find out their opponent and playing schedule.

Check in at ECCWarriors.com and on twitter @_eccsoftball for updates on the next step on the road to the CCCAA State Championships.