Playing in their first-ever South Coast Conference game, the Rio Hondo College Roadrunners suffered a 6-1 loss to the visiting Chaffey College Panthers on Tuesday in Whittier.

The loss dropped Rio Hondo to 6-10 overall and 0-1 in conference play while Chaffey moved to 8-9 and 1-0.

Chaffey jumped on Rio Hondo starting pitcher Brenae Martinez early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning and one more in the second to go ahead 3-0.

The Roadrunners scored their lone run in the fourth. Alicia Olivas led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Serina Castrellon, and advanced to third on a fly out by Marisa Macias. With two outs, Jelissa Castanon came up with a clutch single to bring home Olivas. But that would be all for Rio Hondo.

Chaffey responded with three more runs in the top of the fifth to put the game out of reach.

Olivas and Castanon both had two hits each to lead the Roadrunners at the plate. Martinez took the loss, allowing four earned runs and 12 hits over seven innings. She struck out three and walked none.

Rio Hondo will look to snap its three-game losing streak on Thursday (Mar. 9) when the Roadrunners travel to Pasadena City College for a 2:30 p.m. SCC game.