el Don News
By Vanessa Cortez
Down by five runs, catcher Annie Dowling’s two-RBI drive to center sparked a five run rally Monday leading to the Dons 10-7 victory over visiting Cerritos College Falcons.
“I was just looking just to get runs in for my team and get the ball on the ground, then it happened. We really got the momentum back after we got a couple of hits. I think that got to them – all of our hits,” Dowling said.
Sophomore Danielle Hernandez grounded out to first, driving Dowling in before Alyssa Yglesias hit a two RBI single.
Kristin Gutierrez relieved starting pitcher Lindsey Esparza in the fourth inning, and allowed five hits and one run in four innings. In her last two games she has given up one run and seven hits.
“I think once we made an adjustment we were hitting the ball well,” Falcons Head Coach Kodee Murray said.
Gutirrez struck out Falcons pitcher Monique Ramirez looking in the sixth inning with a change-up.
“A lot of pitchers have an off-speed pitch, but it usually isn’t that drastic and she’s really good at using it, especially when she can throw it for a strike,” Rapoza said. “When you’re up at bat and even if you have to think about it, it’s kind of a distracting, so it’s good to have that. It’s a really good tool.”
First baseman Sabrina Perez’s solo homerun in the first inning gave the Dons an early lead until the second inning when Ariana Mejia hit a two-RBI double to center.
“I thought our energy was not as great at it should had been in the beginning but we picked it up,” Perez said.
The victory extends the Dons three game win streak before they face Fullerton College Tuesday at 3 p.m.
