Warriors Defeat L.A. Harbor

TORRANCE, Calif. --- El Camino College scored a 5-3 South Coast Conference win over visiting L.A. Harbor on Friday afternoon at the ECC Softball Field.

The Warriors (20-15, 9-10) let a three-run lead slip away but scored runs in the sixth and seventh to claim the victory over the Seahawks (16-21, 7-14).

With the win, the Warriors have now won 20 games in all eight of head coach Jessica Rapoza's seasons at the helm of the program, not including the 2020 season that was cancelled after 20 games due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. There was also no season in 2021.

On Friday, Skylar Sanchez made the most of her two plate appearances as she recorded a bunt-single in the first inning followed by an inside-the-park home run in the sixth inning to provide an insurance run for the Warriors. Offensively the Warriors tallied five hits from the top four batters in the lineup.

Kayla Inzunza led off the game with a triple and scored the first run on a single by Leesa Parral, who finished the day with two hits. Malia Martin was also 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

Destiny Ostorga recorded the victory in the circle after entering the game in relief in the fifth inning. She went two and 2/3 innings and did not allow a hit while striking out three.

Ostorga was needed after the Seahawks erased a 3-0 Warriors lead thanks to three runs on four hits and a walk in the fifth. An RBI single by Vanessa Carranza scored the game-tying run and chased Warriors starter Noemi Sandoval, who went four and 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits and one walk. She struck out two.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Warriors wasted no time in retaking the lead by manufacturing the go-ahead run. Catcher Emily Esparza was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and then Sarah Leyba entered to pinch run. She would steal second and then advance to third on a sacrifice bunt by Inzunza.

Parral then recorded her second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to center to give the Warriors a 4-3 lead.

That was more than enough for Ostorga who retired all eight batters she faced in order.

The Warriors will wrap up another busy week on Saturday afternoon when they host Cerritos for a 12 p.m. first pitch.