Huntington Beach, Calif. - A walk-off win (7-6) against LA Harbor on Saturday constituted a total turn of events for the Rustlers.
The softball game turned game of tag ended a six-game losing streak for this Golden West squad. Following a defensive error in the top of the first inning, LA Harbor posted two runs onto the scoreboard. However, the Rustlers responded with no hesitation, tying the game in the bottom half of the inning off of a 2 RBI single by Yazmine Banos.
Shortstop Cienna Parker-Islas, who reached first on balls, scored on a defensive error in the bottom of the third. LA Harbor answered with a run, tying up the game 3-3 in the fourth. Golden West put themselves back in the lead in the bottom of the fourth, as Rodriguez scored on another defensive error.
The Rustlers then put an insurance run on the board in the fifth inning following an RBI triple from Rodriguez.
Unfortunately, this intense game of tag did not settle down after retaking the lead 5-3. In the top of the sixth, the Rustlers allowed LA Harbor to rake in three runs off a 2 RBI single and a sacrifice fly.
Both teams gave home plate a break from getting stomped on until a nail-biter bottom of the seventh inning. To start off the inning, Natalie Rodriguez doubled, and Sara Carpio reached first on an error.
With one out on the board and the game on the line, Jaszmine Rodriguez stepped into the batters box with one goal in mind: put the ball in play. She did just that, hitting a laser of a double into center field, ending the game in walk-off fashion.
"It was exciting," Rodriguez said. "I just went up to the plate thinking 'Look for a pitch that you can drive.'"
Not only was this a memorable game offensively, starting pitcher Sennie Viramontes recorded her first ever collegiate win. Through seven innings of work, she struck out two, walked one, gave up nine hits, and earned four of the six runs scored. Not to mention this performance was on less than 24 hours of arm rest. She applauds her teammates for helping her get that first win.
"I think knowing that my team has my back [helped] for sure," Viramontes said. "We had some errors today, but I know that they're the type to come right back and really have my back no matter what."
NEXT: The Rustlers will play another non-conference game at home Monday against Mt. San Jacinto. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Written by Marissa Lavezzari
