Errors Doom Warriors to Loss Against Fullerton

FULLERTON, Calif. - El Camino College suffered their first loss of the new season on the road against Fullerton College, 7-4 on Wedneday afternoon.

The Warriors (2-1) started the game with an early 1-0 lead but the Hornets (1-0) took the lead in the next inning and never looked back.  

Laura Chafe drew the start for the Warriors after pitching in their opening game last week and gave up 5 runs (1 earned) off 4 hits in three innings.  Elizabeth Cortez pitched the remaining three innings and gave up 2 runs (1 earned) off 4 hits and struck out two batters.

Marissa Garza, Alena De La Torre, and Mina Nakawake were the only Warriors to pick up a hit in the outing.  Diamond Lewis got base 4 times via the walk and scored three of El Camino's runs. 

The Warriors struck first in the first inning after Diamond Lewis walked, stole second and third base, and scored on a throwing error by the catcher.  

The Hornets scored three runs in the second inning with two outs and bases loaded.  Natalie Gonzalez hit a ground ball to 3B but the Warriors couldn't make a play on the ball and a throwing error led to two runs being scored.  Sabrina Anguiano singled in the next at-bat to give the Hornets a 3-1 lead.

The Warriors tied the game back up in the top of the 3rd inning.  Diamond Lewis walked and Marissa Garza doubled to left field to give the Warriors runners in scoring position.  Alena De La Torre hit a single to left field that scored Lewis.  Mina Nakawake hit into a fielders choice to end the inning but Garza crossed the plate before De La Torre was tagged out to finish the half inning tied at 3-3.  

Fullerton responded back in the the bottom of the third inning with more two out runs.  The lead-off hitter reached the bases via a throwing error by De La Torre.  Two sac bunts and a hit batter gave the Hornet runners on 3rd and 2nd with two outs.  Sarah Rengifo hit a bloop single to left field that scored both runners to give Fullerton a 5-3 lead. 

The Hornets added two more runs in the 4th inning after three base hits to make it a 7-3 game.   

The Warriors had their chance to tie the game in the Top of the 7th.  Lewis, Helaina Gallardo, and De La Torre each walked to load the bases with one out.  Nakawake hit a sac fly to center field to score one run to make it 7-4.  However, Brooklyn Araujo fouled out to 3B to end the game.

The Warriors have an upcoming home slate of games pending the rain.  Thursday's game against LA Mission was rained out and re-scheduled to next Wednesday.  Friday's game against Ventura has also been postponed to a later date.