Cerro Coso softball opens conference with a doubleheader loss

Eduardo Miranda

The Daily Independent

Cerro Coso softball opened Inland Empire Athletic Conference play hosting Desert in a doubleheader. The Coyotes were coming off an eight-game road trip and splitting a doubleheader with Santa Barbara City College. The Coyotes fell to the Roadrunners 12-0 in five innings in game one, and 13-6 in game two.

In the first game of the doubleheader, the Coyotes' offense struggled against the Desert pitcher. The home team finished with 17 at-bats with three hits. Annelise Keller, Erica Madrid, and Rosaleena Trujillo had the only hits for the home team.

Madrid started in the circle for the Coyotes, throwing two innings and giving up six runs. Rheanna Bell relieved Madrid and threw the final three innings, giving up six runs.

The Coyotes' offense saw the side retired twice – in the first and fifth innings. In the second inning the Coyotes had a chance at scoring a run with Kiara Rocha reaching first on a walk and then stealing second during Cassidy Nunez's at bat. After Nunez struck out, Keller walked to have runners on second and first. Elizabeth Salazar popped to the catcher who then completed the double play getting Keller out at first.

Cerro Coso had another chance at scoring in the third with Trujillo hitting a double as the leadoff batter. Selyna Vaughn grounded out, and Madrid got a hit to reach first and move Trujillo to third. Diana Lopez went for the bunt but was thrown out at first but moved Madrid to second. Lily Rice ended the inning hitting a fly ball to the Desert center fielder.

Cerro Coso (2-17, 0-2) continues Inland Empire Conference play hosting Mt. San Jacinto in a doubleheader on Wednesday with the first pitch at noon. The Coyotes then host Victor Valley in a doubleheader on Friday with the first game at noon.