Softball: Rio Hondo wins fourth straight to secure playoff spot

Facing a must-win game to secure an automatic berth into the Southern California Regional Playoffs, Rio Hondo College cruised to a 14-2 victory in five innings at Victor Valley College on Monday in their regular-season finale. Sophomore Elaine Verdugo went 4 for 4 with two triples and two RBI to spark the Roadrunners to their biggest win of the season. 

Rio Hondo closed out the Foothill Conference schedule winning four straight games to finish in a second-place tie at 10-5 with San Bernardino Valley College. Thanks to a 2-1 head-to-head record vs. the Wolverines, Rio Hondo earned one of two automatic Foothill Conference spots in the postseason.

On Monday, the Roadrunners jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning and continued to score runs in all five innings. Rio Hondo totaled 11 hits in the mercy-rule shortened game.

Freshman Brenae Martinez had a big game with the bat and in the circle for the Roadrunners. She drove in three runs and went a perfect 2 for 2 while earning the complete-game victory. Martinez allowed nine hits and two runs while striking out seven.

Verdugo also scored four runs and stole three bases in her impressive offensive game for Rio Hondo. Julianna Fierro and Victoria Diaz both chipped in with 2 RBI.

Rio Hondo enters the postseason with a 16-24 overall record. Southern California Regional Playoff seedings will be announced on Saturday. The Roadrunners will be making their second straight postseason appearance under head coach Bianca Urquidi.