Softball: 15-run first-inning leads to 21-3 win over Santa Monica

Rio Hondo College sent 18 batters to the plate in an epic top of the first inning that saw the Roadrunners score 15 runs. Rio Hondo went on to cruise to a 21-3 victory in a mercy-rule shortened game that lasted just five innings at Santa Monica College on Tuesday to snap a two-game losing streak.

The Roadrunners greeted Santa Monica starting pitcher Mayra Gomez by smacking eight hits in the first. Rio Hondo also took advantage of two Corsairs errors, two wild pitches, a passed ball, and walked four times on its way to the big inning. The Roadrunners scored seven runs with two outs, including two runs thanks to a double by Layla Prieto. She also drove in a run earlier in the inning with a bunt single.

Rio Hondo scored twice in the second, third, and fourth innings to close out the Roadrunners' scoring.

Prieto (2 for 2, 3 runs) and Ashley Bravo (1 for 3, 3 runs) both had 3 RBI while Alexis Barajas (2 for 3, 3 runs) and Monica Armenta (1 for 3) drove in two runs each.

Yaritza Lechuga went the distance in the circle for the complete-game victory. She allowed three runs and seven hits while striking out five.

The win improved Rio Hondo to 2-2 overall. The Roadrunners will look to keep the surge going on Thursday (Jan. 30) when they open South Coast Conference play against Cerritos College at home at 3 p.m.