Photos by Yvette Blacknell
Photos by Yvette Blacknell

Warriors Edge Cerritos to Claim Third Consecutive Conference Title

TORRANCE, Calif. – El Camino College secured its third straight South Coast Conference, South Division title with a nail biter, edging Cerritos 1-0 Thursday afternoon at the ECC Softball Field.

Jocelyn Hernandez did it all for the Warriors (24-6, 15-2) as she scored the lone run of the game while also tossing a complete-game shutout in the circle against the Falcons (13-15, 8-9). Hernandez scattered five hits, walked one and struck out four to pick her ninth win of the season.

She also recorded the lone extra-base hit of the day, hammering a triple off Falcons starter Sierra Gerdts in the first inning. Hernandez would then score the lone run on a throwing error by the right fielder to give ECC the 1-0 lead after one.

Hernandez would make it stick despite having to navigate through some trouble. The Falcons had at least one runner on base in every inning except the fifth against Hernandez but the Warriors right-hander was able to get of the jams including a first-and-third with two outs in the second and a first-and-second with one out pickle in the third to hold onto the lead.

On the other side, Gerdts was solid for the Falcons as she tossed a complete game in the loss. She allowed just three hits and one unearned run while striking out three.

Sidra Montoya provided the rest of the offense for the Warriors as she went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles.

The Warriors have now won four conference championships in the last five seasons and it is the fifth conference title in the program's history since ECC took home its first crown in 1989.

The week wraps up Friday afternoon as the Warriors host Citrus at the ECC Softball Field for the third game of their four-game home stand. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.