Softball: Rio Hondo beats L.A. Mission 7-3 in season-opener

Freshman shortstop Nadiya Lozano went 2 for 3 with a double and 3 RBI to help lead Rio Hondo College to a 7-3 win over visiting Los Angeles Mission College on Wednesday in both teams' season opener.

Despite totaling 11 hits in its first game of the season, Rio Hondo had to rally late for the win. With the scored tied 2-2, the Roadrunners scored twice in the fifth inning and blew the game open with three runs in the sixth to secure the victory.

Sophomore Stephanie Pirir-Pulido drove in a pair of runs and went 2 for 4 on the day. Sophomores Elaine Verdugo (2 for 2) and Brittany Salcido (2 for 3) also chipped in with a pair of hits.

In the circle, freshman Brenae Martinez (1-0) went the distance for the complete-game victory in her Rio Hondo debut. She allowed just one earned run and five L.A. Mission hits while striking out one and walking none.

Rio Hondo returns to action this weekend (Jan. 29-30) when the Roadrunners travel to the Central Coast for the Monterey Peninsula College tournament. The Roadrunners open tourney play against Cabrillo College on Friday at 11 a.m. Rio Hondo is scheduled to play four games over the two-day event.