For seven and a half innings, Rio Hondo College appeared to be on its way to an easy non-conference win at Oxnard College on Thursday. But then, the bottom of the eighth inning happened. With the Roadrunners leading the Condors 5-1, Oxnard rallied for five runs to send Rio Hondo home with a 6-5 loss.

Rio Hondo starting pitcher Chris Velasquez was cruising before exiting after the seventh inning. He scattered five hits and allowed one run while striking out five.

But Oxnard (15-19-1) sent eight batters to the plate and collected six singles during the go-ahead rally in the eighth. Lawson Faria delivered a two-out, two-run single to put the Condors ahead for good.

R.J. Romo (2 for 4, 2 runs) and Christian Valdez (2 for 5, 1 RBI) both had a pair of hits to lead Rio Hondo at the plate.

The defeat dropped Rio Hondo to 16-15 overall. The Roadrunners return to action on Tuesday (Apr. 18) at 2:30 p.m. to begin a two-game South Coast Conference interdivision series at No. 2 Southern California-ranked El Camino College.