el Don News
By Erica Winter
Visiting Rio Hondo College defeated the Dons, 8-1 Monday after a five-run outburst in the top of the second inning.
“When you don’t see your kids for two days, Monday games can be hard,” Co-Head Coach Susie Parra said.
Parra may have been alluding to the Dons’ two errors that resulted in two unearned runs.
Roadrunners outfielder Gabrielle Salvador benefited from one of those errors. Salvador had an RBI and reached base following an error from shortstop Alexandra Hernandez.
“I personally think I did pretty well. I’m playing a position I’m not usually in,” Salvador said.
Salvador usually plays outfielder, but was playing shortstop against the Dons’
The Dons tried to muster a comeback in its half of the second, but only managed one run on two hits and an error.
The second inning had taken its toll.
“I guess we could have talked more. I could have turned around a talked more to my players,” freshman pitcher Desiree Hernandez said.
Hernandez pitched a complete game for the Dons, surrendering eight runs, five earned, on 10 hits, with a strikeout and a walk.
After going through three scoreless innings, the Dons’ defense unraveled. The Roadrunners scored three runs on three hits and an error.
The Dons scattered three hits over the next two innings, doubling its total from the first five to finish with six hits.
Parra’s disappointment was evident.
“You can’t have only a few kids backing up their pitcher,” Parra said.
The Dons play at Golden West College Wednesday, 3 p.m.
