Freshman Kaylie Cervantes went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI to lead Rio Hondo College in an 8-5 South Coast Conference loss to Long Beach City College on Friday at Mayfair Park in Lakewood.

The Roadrunners fell to 6-8 overall and 3-3 in conference play.

Rio Hondo jumped on LBCC starting pitcher Joette Vega early, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. A bases-loaded walk to Madeline Peralta forced in the Roadrunners' first run before Azucena Amezcua smacked a two-run single to give Rio Hondo the 3-0 lead.

Long Beach came back in the bottom of the frame to get those runs back. The Vikings put up three runs off Rio Hondo starter Grace Acero in the first, scored another in the second, and added three runs in the third to take a commanding 7-3 advantage.

Cervantez' two-run double in the fourth got Rio Hondo back in the game at 7-5, but LBCC iced the game with a final run in the sixth to secure its victory.

Acero went the distance in the loss, allowing 8 runs (5 earned) and 14 hits. She struck out one and walked two.

Rio Hondo returns to action on Tuesday (Feb. 25) when the Roadrunners travel to Mt. San Antonio College for a 3 p.m. SCC game.