Softball: RHC season ends with heart-breaking playoff loss at Ventura

Rio Hondo College had its 2016 season come to a crashing end with a heart-breaking 4-3 loss at No. 15 seeded Ventura College in a Southern California Regional play in game on Tuesday. The Roadrunners, seeded No. 18, led 3-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning but couldn't hang on for the win.

Trailing 2-1 after five innings, the Roadrunners scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to take their first lead of the ball game. Brittany Salcido tripled to get the rally started and came in to score on a double by Julianna Fierro. Mylene Valencia followed with a one-out single to drive in Fierro with the go-ahead run.

Ventura threatened in the bottom of the sixth and loaded the bases with one out. But Rio Hondo pitcher Brenae Martinez was able to get out of the jam unscathed to hold the lead.

But in the bottom of the seventh, Ventura hit back-to-back triples to tie up the game and Farris Burke lined a walk-off, two-out single to drive in Julia Garcia with the winning run.

Rio Hondo ends the season with a 16-25 overall record. The Roadrunners made their second consecutive postseason appearance under head coach Bianca Urquidi.