A three-run first inning and a strong pitching performance from All-State selection Tatyana Cortez (La Serna HS) led the Cerritos College softball team to a 3-2 win over Citrus College at Nancy Kelly Field on Friday. Seeded #6, the Falcons (30-10) hold a 1-0 best-of-3 series lead over the #11-seeded Owls (24-17). The second game of the series is scheduled for noon on Saturday, with the Falcons needing just one win to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

After allowing Citrus a run in the top of the first inning, Cerritos responded with their three runs. Freshman third baseman Marley Cortez (Gahr HS) led off with a single, and when she was out on a fielder's choice, the team had sophomore catcher Vicky Najera (El Rancho HS) on base. A walk to sophomore outfielder Morgan Fontela (Long Beach Millikan HS), followed by a single from sophomore first baseman Briana Zarate (Legacy HS/Compton College) loaded the bases. Cerritos tied the game on a sacrifice fly from sophomore shortstop Ayiana Cardenas (Walnut HS), followed by a two-out triple from freshman outfielder Savannah Gonzalez (Whittier HS; pictured left), which turned out to be the game-winning hit.

Tatyana Cortez (22-10) saw the Owls score another single run in the top of the second inning, but kept them off the scoreboard the remainder of the game. She stranded a runner on third base in the fourth inning, with Najera throwing out Alivia Martinez trying to steal second base for the third out in the fourth inning. Martinez entered the game leading the state in stolen bases (45) and it was just the second time she had been thrown out all season.

In the top of the seventh inning, Citrus put two runners on base before Cortez struck out leadoff hitter Sophia Femath for the final out. Cortez ended up striking out four batters, including the state's home run leader, Madelyn Hajj twice.

Photos by Daryl Peterson