Hawks Cash In Series-Opening Win Over Santa Ana

The Santiago Canyon College softball team was held hitless through the first three innings as they opened a three-game series against the Santa Ana College Dons on Tuesday afternoon. Despite the early struggles at the plate, freshman starting pitcher Brianna Longaker kept the Dons in check, buying time for the Hawks' offense to come alive.

A pitcher's duel developed early, with Longaker doing the heavy lifting in the circle. She retired the top of the Dons' lineup in order to start the game, including a strikeout, and allowed just two hits over the next two innings to keep the game scoreless.

Santa Ana's starter matched her effort, carrying a no-hitter into the fourth inning. That changed when freshman center fielder Carmen Sanchez led off the bottom of the fourth with a single through the right side. She advanced to second on a passed ball, setting the stage for the Hawks' first scoring opportunity.

Two batters later, freshman first baseman Maya Medina reached on an error, putting runners on the corners. Sophomore catcher Allie Kirkpatrick followed by putting the ball in play and reaching on a fielder's choice to third, allowing Sanchez to cross the plate for the game's first run.

Longaker returned for the fourth and recorded two quick outs, including another strikeout. After allowing a bunt single and issuing a walk, she escaped the jam with a flyout to center field, preserving the 1-0 lead.

The Hawks added to their advantage in the fifth inning. Freshman third baseman Violet Avila led off with a walk and later scored on a one-out double in the right center gap by freshman right fielder Abbygail Hansen, extending the lead to 2-0.

Longaker ran into early trouble in the sixth after hitting the leadoff batter, but the defense came up big. On a bunt attempt, Avila made a lunging catch charging in from third and fired to first to complete a lineout double play. Longaker followed with a strikeout to end the inning.

Santiago Canyon added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Kirkpatrick led off with a double down the left field line, and sophomore shortstop Mikayla Martinez followed with a scorching single to center field. Later in the inning, Avila delivered an RBI single to center, bringing home Kirkpatrick to make it 3-0.

In the seventh, Longaker recorded two outs but allowed a run, aided by a Hawks throwing error. Sophomore reliever Victoria Recendez entered and needed just six pitches to secure the final out and seal the 3-1 victory.

Longaker (5-10) delivered one of her strongest performances of the season, tossing 6.2 innings while allowing four hits and striking out five. Recendez (Sv, 1) earned her first career save.

At the plate, Avila went 1-for-2 with an RBI, a walk, and a run scored. Hansen finished 1-for-3 with an RBI double, while Kirkpatrick went 1-for-3 with a double, RBI, and run scored. Sanchez added a 1-for-2 performance and scored once.