SOFTBALL BLASTS L.A. PIERCE, 8-0

SANTA MARIA-- It took just five innings for the Allan Hancock softball team to dispatch visiting Los Angeles Pierce College in a Western State Conference game, 8-0.

Hancock (6-21, 5-13 WSC) ran its lead to 8-0 in the fifth inning, thus ending the contest early on the community college mercy rule. Sophomore Crystal Garcia (7-10) pitched a two-hit shutout for the victory.

The Bulldogs were led offensively by Stephanie Silva and Nika Miller. Silva went 3-for-4, including a lead-off home run in the bottom of the second. Miller also went 3-for-4 including a double in the second and two RBIs.

AHC will close out its 2004 season with a 1:00 p.m. double header at home against WSC and Central Coast-rival Cuesta College on Tuesday (Apr. 27).