Ostorga Tosses Complete-Game Gem as Warriors Beat Citrus

TORRANCE, Calif. --- Sophomore Destiny Ostorga tossed a complete-game as El Camino College scored a 4-2 non-conference victory over Citrus on Saturday afternoon at the ECC Softball Field.

Ostorga went the distance on Saturday and allowed just two runs, one earned, on six hits. She struck out six without allowing a walk to pick up her sixth victory in the circle this season for the Warriors (18-14).

On offense, Kayla Inzunza led the way for the Warriors as she went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Overall, the Warriors managed just five hits but wreaked havoc on the base paths, recording nine stolen bases including a steal of home in the first inning. The team also benefited from three unearned runs thanks to two errors from Citrus.

For the Owls (18-17), pitcher Samantha Meyndert also tossed a complete-game but suffered the loss as she allowed four runs, just one earned, on five hits. She struck out two.

The Warriors did the bulk of their scoring in the first two innings beginning with two in the first inning. With two outs and nobody on, Inzunza got on base with a bunt single and then stole second and third. Those steals would pay off as she would score easily on an error at second base off the bat of Malia Martin. Ostorga then helped her own cause with a single to right with Martin advancing all the way to third.

Ostorga and Martin would then execute a double steal with Martin scoring and giving the Warriors a 2-0 lead.

The Owls would score a run in the second but the Warriors responded in their half of the frame with a leadoff double from Skylar Sanchez. She would steal third and then score on a single from Emily Esparza, making it 3-1 Warriors.

Ostorga would retire six of the next seven batters for the Owls before Jasani Zavalza reached base on an error to lead off the fifth inning. Another error on the next batter put two runners on with nobody out.

After a strikeout, the Owls cashed one run in as Leah Morales singled to left-center, scoring Zavalza to make it 3-2 with two runners on and one out. But Ostorga limited the damage as she induced a flyout to center and a fielder's choice groundout to end the frame and preserve the lead.

The Warriors added some insurance in the sixth on an RBI groundout by Breanna Padilla to make it 4-2.

Ostroga did the rest, retiring six of the last seven hitters she faced including retiring the Owls in order in the seventh inning to secure the victory.

The Warriors will now return to conference play on Tuesday afternoon when they host Rio Hondo at the ECC Softball Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.