SOFTBALL WINS THRILLER IN LAST AT BAT

SANTA MARIA-- The Allan Hancock College softball team scored first and last to win a thriller over L.A. Mission, 9-8, in a Western State Conference cross-over game.

Hancock (3-10), scored four unearned run in the first inning that was highlighted by a three-run home run by Stacey Davis (Fr., Santa Maria HS).

Starting pitcher Angela Martinez (Fr., Santa Maria) held Mission scoreless until the fourth inning when they scored three times on three singles, a hit batter and a two-run double by centerfielder Christina Montes De Oca. Mission put together three singles in the fifth to tie the game at four. The Eagles exploded for another four runs in the sixth on four singles and two walks, to take an 8-4 lead.

Hancock answered back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Davis led off with a double. Jennifer Perry (Fr., Righetti HS) ran for Davis, and moved to third on an error that allowed Veronica Gonzalez (Fr., Santa Maria HS) to reach first. Janelle Nunez (Fr., Arroyo Grande HS) singled in Perry, moving Gonzalez to third. Gonzalez scored on a wild pitch by pitcher Joeleen Alonso.

After a scoreless seventh by Mission, the Bulldogs put together three singles to load the bases. Davis, who re-entered in the top of the inning, forced Brenna Mackenprang (So., Righetti) out at home on a grounder to third. Martinez walked to force in Vanessa Acevedo (Fr., Righetti) with the seventh run. Nunez singled in Martinez. Julie Ortiz (Fr., Santa Maria) hit a solid single to center to score Davis with the game winner. There were no outs in the inning when the winning run crossed the plate.

Martinez earned the win, going the distance in a game that featured 21 hits, nine by the Bulldogs.