Softball: Rio Hondo wins second straight, beats Santa Ana 8-1

A five-run, second-inning proved to be more than Rio Hondo College needed as the Roadrunners cruised to an 8-1 non-conference win at Santa Ana College on Monday. The Roadrunners have won consecutive games for the first time this season and improved their overall record to 5-13.

Freshman Brenae Martinez (Santa Fe HS) turned in her best starting effort of the season for the Roadrunners. She allowed one unearned run and scattered six hits over the complete-game victory. Martinez improved to 4-12 overall.

The Roadrunners' bats totaled 10 hits in the contest, getting five in the big second inning. Elaine Verdugo (Charter Oak HS) and Krystal Vega (Alhambra HS) led off with consecutive singles. Two batters later, Martinez lined a RBI single down the right-field line to drive in Verdugo. Victoria Diaz (Chino Hills HS) followed with another single to bring home Vega before Esthefany Martinez (Silverado HS) reached on a fielder's choice. Gabrielle Salavdor's (California HS) bases-loaded RBI ground out was misplayed for an error. With two outs, Nadiya Lozano (West Covina HS) and Julianna Fierro (La Habra HS) lined back-to-back singles to drive in Diaz and Martinez for the final runs of the inning.

Santa Ana (6-10) scored its lone run in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a Rio Hondo for the unearned run.

The Roadrunners closed out the scoring with three runs in the sixth. Diaz' ground out brought home Valencia before Salavdor lined a two-run single to drive in Diaz and Valencia.

Esthefany Martinez and Vega both had two hits to lead Rio Hondo at the plate while Salavdor collected three RBI.

Rio Hondo returns to Foothill Conference action on Wednesday (Mar. 2) when the Roadrunners travel to Barstow College for a 3 p.m. game.