Knights Get Past IVC For First PCAC Win

The Knights earned their first PCAC win of the season by holding off Imperial Valley, 4-2, at Betty Hock Field on Friday afternoon. Starting pitcher Lenny Padilla allowed only one run with six strikeouts in five innings of work to help City improve to 1-2 in the conference and 4-11 overall.

Friday's game was scoreless through the first 3.5 innings, but the Knights finally got on the board with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a lead they would not relinquish. Anahy Carbajal started that inning off by reaching on an error and then stole second and third base to get herself in scoring position. That was followed by a Bella Macias walk, who then moved to second base on Sydney Dull's ground out. Ariana Hencke came up next and hit a triple down the left field line to score both runners and give City a 2-0 advantage. 

Later in the inning, Stephanie Zepeda reached on an error that allowed Hencke to score and put the Knights ahead, 3-0.

Imperial Valley closed the gap to 3-2 after scoring a run in each the fifth and sixth innings, but City was able to get an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Dull crossed home plate after a wild pitch.

Jill Bagely, who relieved Padilla in the sixth, struck out the first two batters in the top of the seventh, but then got into a little trouble after two IVC batters reached on a single and an error. Fortunately for City, Bagely got the next batter to ground out to end the threat and the game.

The Knights will be on the road for a doubleheader at Mt. San Jacinto on Tuesday beginning at noon. They will also play a doubleheader at Palomar on March 17 with the first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m.