Softball Blanked by Cypress

TORRANCE, Calif. --- El Camino College suffered a 6-0 non-conference loss to visiting Cypress on Saturday afternoon at the ECC Softball Field.

After numerous postponements due to inclement weather and poor field conditions, the Warriors (8-3) finally took to the field for the first time since Feb. 17 and hosted the Chargers (11-2), one of the top teams in the state.

The Warriors fell behind early and could not recover against Chargers' pitcher Emily Rush, who picked up a complete-game victory as she scattered seven hits and struck out three.

For the Warriors, Alyssa Lujan and Kayla Inzunza each recorded mutli-hit games but the team stranded five runners on base and hit into two double plays in the game.

The Warriors found themselves down 2-0 before their first at-bat after the Chargers loaded the bases in the top of the first inning against ECC starter Kat Gutierrez. Kaitlyn Reynolds opened the scoring with a bases loaded walk and then Cameron Curiel made it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly to center field.

But Gutierrez got out of it without further damage with a fielder's choice to short and then a groundout to short to end the frame.

The Chargers offense would not stop, though, as they recorded at least one hit in every inning except the seventh. They were up 4-0 after three innings and that was more than enough for Rush, who faced just five batters over the minimum.

The Warriors' best chance to score came in the fourth inning when Inzunza and Destiny Ostorga recorded back-to-back singles to lead off the inning.

But Rush retired the next three batters to end the threat and the Warriors never got another baserunner to second base.

The Warriors will return to action on Tuesday afternoon as they host Rio Hondo for a South Coast Conference game, the Warriors' first of the season thanks to the numerous rainouts. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.