Softball: Roadrunners off to impressive start, rout SBVC 16-3 in season opener

Rio Hondo College's bats were definitely ready for the season to begin. On Friday, the Roadrunners banged out 14 hits on its way to an impressive 16-3, five-inning mercy-rule win over visiting San Bernardino Valley College in both teams' season-opener.

After allowing a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, Rio Hondo responded with a huge nine-run rally in the bottom of the first. The Roadrunners scored two more times in the fourth and closed the rout by scoring five runs in the fourth.

Kelly Monroy went 2 for 2, hitting a pair of doubles and two sacrifice flies, while driving in three runs and scoring twice to lead Rio Hondo at the plate. Nine Roadrunners ended the game with RBIs as Ashley Bravo (3 runs), Kaylie Cervantes (3 for 3, 2 runs), Alexis Barajas (1 for 1), Arianna Amezcua (2 for 2), and Layla Prieto (1 for 2) all drove in two runs each.

Starter Madeline Peralta was credited with the win. She allowed three runs (two earned) and two hits over three innings for the Roadrunners. Grace Acero and Yaritza Lechuga closed out the contest with scoreless innings.

The Roadrunners (1-0) will look to keep the winning going on Saturday (Jan. 25) when they will play a pair of games at San Diego Mesa College. Rio Hondo takes on Golden West College at 11 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. contest against host Mesa.