Ramirez, Garcia Lead Warriors to Victory in Top-10 Battle

TORRANCE, Calif. --- Sophomores Lexi Ramirez and Emma Garcia had big days for No. 1 El Camino College in a 7-2 South Coast Conference victory over No. 9 Mt. San Antonio on Friday afternoon at the ECC Softball Field.

Ramirez pitched a complete game for the Warriors, who won their ninth straight game to start the season. Ramirez allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out five batters to pick up her seventh win in the circle.

She stranded a pair of runners in scoring position in the fourth inning by inducing a lineout and a groundout to keep the game tied. Ramirez would retire 11 of the final 12 batters she faced.

Ramirez's stand in the fourth proved pivotal as the Warriors offense erupted for five runs in the bottom half of the inning. The first three batters of the frame reached base for ECC, chasing Mounties starter Kayden Connaty. Morgan Knight welcomed new pitcher Isabella Guerrero with a bases-clearing triple to give the Warriors a 5-2 lead.

Garcia would then record her third straight hit of the day to bring in Knight and make it a 6-2 ballgame. Garcia would advance to second on a groundout and then Lilly Lewis hit an infield single that deflected off Guerrero's glove and went toward short. Katie Griego fielded the loose ball and threw to first but Lewis beat the throw to allow Garcia to score and make it a 7-2 game.

Garcia finished the game 3-for-4 with a triple, three runs scored and one RBI to lead the ECC offense.

The Warriors will return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 25 when they host Orange Coast for a 3 p.m. first pitch.