Softball Hangs On For Win Over Orange Coast

TORRANCE, Calif. - With the winning run on base for the Pirates in the Top of the 7th, the El Camino College softball team held on to a 5-4 win on Wednesday afternoon at the ECC Softball Field.  

The Warriors (4-1) broke a knotted up score with the Pirates (1-2) in the fifth inning and were able to hold on to the win.  

Elizabeth Cortez picked up her third straight win in the circle.  Cortez allowed three runs on seven hits, three walks, and struck out six batters. Jaelyn Operana took the loss for the Pirates after allowing five runs (three of them earned). 

The Pirates outhit the Warriors 10-to-7 but the Warriors were able to string runs together when it counted.  Mina Nakawake led the offense by going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. The Warriors scored on two wild pitches and one passed ball. 

Jaelyn Operana was 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Pirates.

The Warriors scored first after Macie Jensen doubled in Nakawake in the first inning. OCC took a one run lead in the third inning after Madison LeClaire hit a 2-RBI single to right field.  The Warriors tied it back up in the bottom half of the inning after Nakawake led the inning off with a bunt single. She stole second and third and scored on a passed ball.

The Warriors added two runs in the fifth inning.  Marissa Garza hit a base hit with one out. The Warriors got lucky when Macie Jensen hit a fly ball to right field.  The OCC center fielder collided gloves with the OCC right fielder which led to a dropped ball. Amanda Johnson who came in to pinch run for Garza would come around to score on a wild pitch.  Clarissa Chiquete hit a double to the left center gap to bring in Macie Jensen.

The Warriors added a big insurance run in the 6th inning.  Carrera Dillard led the inning off with a walk. Amber Patterson singled down the left field line and both runners stole third and second base.  Dillard would come around to score on a wild pitch.

The Top of the 7th inning was a wild ride for the Warriors.  Elizabeth Cortez walked the first batter. Jamie Garvey came in to pitch.  She gave up three singles that scored two runs to make it a 5-4 game. Cortez came back in to pitch and got the next two batters out to finish the game and the win for the Warriors. 

The Warriors will head to LA Harbor for their next game on Tuesday, February 11th.  First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.