Softball: Rio Hondo takes Game 1 of Victor Valley doubleheader 12-2

Freshman Brenae Martinez struck out eight batters and allowed one earned run over five innings to help lead Rio Hondo College to a 12-2, five-inning win over visiting Victor Valley College in the first game of a Foothill Conference doubleheader on Friday. Game 2 was rained out and is rescheduled for Monday, Mar. 21.

With the win, Rio Hondo improved to 7-16 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

After giving up a run in the first inning, Martinez was given a three-run cushion after the Roadrunners rallied for four runs in the bottom of the first off Victor Valley starter Summer Cerna. Rio Hondo added three runs in the third and put into effect the eight-run mercy rule by scoring five times in the fourth.

Elaine Verdugo led the Roadrunners with 3 RBI as she went 2 for 3 at the plate. Martinez also helped her own cause by going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI. Victoria Diaz drove in two runs while Esthefany Martinez scored three times and had a RBI.

The Roadrunners return to action next Friday (Mar. 18) when they host Long Beach City College in a 3 p.m. non-conference game.