Led by the superb pitching of All-State pitcher Reanna Carranza (El Rancho HS), the Cerritos College softball team was able to record a 3-1 win over top-seeded Fullerton College on Friday. The win by the #9-seeded Falcons (31-12) gives them a 1-0 lead in their best-of-3 series, which continues on Saturday at noon at Fullerton (38-5). If a third, and deciding game is needed, it is slated to take place at 2:00 p.m.

Playing without the services of starting third baseman Natalie Basurto (Walnut HS) for the game, Cerritos still played error-free softball and came up with several big defensive plays to aid them in their victory. Sophomore Jocelyn Doan (Walnut HS) made a diving catch (pictured, below) for the final out in the first inning to help Carranza.

Cerritos defeated the Hornets last season at Nancy Kelly Field in three games to advance to the 3C2A State Championships, where they finished in third place.

The Falcons got on the board in the top of the second inning when sophomore catcher Jimena Velazquez (Fullerton Union HS) led off with a double and scored on a clutch, two-out double by freshman designated player Natalie Fraijo (Charter Oak HS), who was inserted into the lineup after several positional changes were made due to the lack of Basurto.

Fullerton was able to tie the game with a run in the bottom of the stanza after a leadoff double, sacrifice bunt and infield out.

Carranza, who has started very game this season, scattered seven hits during the game, and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth inning when she got Jianna Lopez to ground out and end the inning. For the remainder of the gane, the Hornets only advanced one runner to second base.

In what turned out to be the winning runs for Cerritos came in the top of the third inning. Sophomore All-American outfielder Jazmine Macias (La Mirada HS) led off with a double, and after freshman outfielder Morgan Fontela (Long Beach Millikan HS) was hit by a pitch, the Falcons had two runners on base. Macias moved to third base on a wild pitch, while Fontela stole second base. Sophomore shortstop Marley Manalo (Walnut HS) put the team in front with a sacrifice fly, while sophomore third baseman Nadia Landeros (Warren HS/Rio Hondo College) followed with another sacrifice fly, as Fontela advanced to third base on the sacrifice fly by Manalo.