Huskies Mercy-Rule Roadrunners for Twentieth Win

(generated via AI... mostly)

(thumbnail by Angel Vallin aka shotwithav)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — East Los Angeles College softball wasted no time taking control on Friday afternoon, erupting for six runs in the second inning en route to an 8-0 run-rule victory over Rio Hondo at ELAC.

The Huskies (20-13, 8-10) tallied 11 hits and played a clean game defensively, while the pitching duo of Nadine Gutierrez and Alexis Arguellas combined to hold the Roadrunners (2-31, 0-18) to just two hits in five shutout innings.

After a scoreless first, ELAC broke the game open in the second. Nicole Monte got things started with a two-run single to center, bringing home Alexis Arguellas and Danica Henriquez. Toni Covarrubias followed with an RBI groundout, and Zyanne Diaz added an RBI single to extend the lead.

Moments later, Ava Sanchez delivered the biggest swing of the inning, lining a two-run single to left center to cap the six-run outburst and give the Huskies a commanding 6-0 advantage.

ELAC continued to apply pressure in the third, as Diaz drew a bases-loaded walk to plate another run. The Huskies added their final run in the fifth when Rayanna Quintanar singled to left, scoring Leanna Ramirez to seal the run-rule victory.

Diaz led the offense with a 2-for-3 day, driving in two runs and scoring once, while Quintanar and Kaetlyn Ramirez each collected two hits. Monte and Sanchez also chipped in with two RBIs apiece as the Huskies' lineup produced contributions up and down the order.

In the circle, Gutierrez improved to 18-8 on the season, allowing just one hit over three innings while striking out two. Arguellas closed the door with two innings of relief, surrendering only one hit and striking out one to complete the shutout.

East LA notched their 20th win of the season as they pursue a playoff bid. Their last appearance in the postseason was in 2014, when they won the conference title.