Lewis’ Big Day Leads Warriors Past Rio Hondo

Diamond Lewis had a perfect day at the plate and El Camino College won another South Coast Conference game with a 9-5 road victory over Rio Hondo on Tuesday afternoon.

Lewis went 4-for-4 at the plate for the Warriors (8-3, 6-1) as ECC scored the bulk of their runs in the first three innings against the host Roadrunners. Lewis belted two doubles, scored two runs and recorded two RBIs in the victory. Jocelyn Hernandez picked up the victory in the circle as she allowed one unearned run on three hits. She walked two and struck out five in 5 and 2/3 innings of work. She also helped herself at the dish, going 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

Belle Estrada had a career day at the plate herself as the sophomore outfielder went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, two runs scored and two RBI.

As a team, the Warriors swiped eight more bases from six different players.

For the Roadrunners, Katherine Arroyo and Azucena Enriquez led the way as each player went 2-for-4 with two RBI apiece.

The Warriors got started right away, plating two runs in the opening frame. Lewis was aggressive on the bases as she scored from second base on a Hernandez ground out to second. Sidra Montoya made it 2-0 with an RBI single to score Elizabeth Cortez.

Lewis made it 3-0 in the second inning with an RBI double to score Estrada, who led off the frame with a double. Cortez then reached on an error, allowing Lewis to score to make it 4-0.

The Roadrunners added a run in their half of the second but the Warriors put some space between themselves and Rio Hondo, scoring four times in the third to take a commanding 8-1 lead. Estrada's one-out triple scored two runs to open the scoring in the frame and then she came around to score on a passed ball. With two outs, Kate Cunningham singled, stole second and then scored on Lewis' RBI double.

But the Roadrunners did not go away, getting three runs back in their half of the third to trim the deficit down to 8-4.

The Warriors pitchers held firm the rest of the way though, allowing just one run in the seventh to close things out and give the Warriors the victory.

The team will be back in action Friday on the road as they head to Pasadena for a 12 p.m. start.