Golden West Routs Santa Ana 9-1 in Five Innings

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — The Golden West College Rustlers took care of business in dominant fashion on Thursday afternoon, defeating the visiting Santa Ana College Dons 9-1 in a five-inning mercy-rule victory in Orange Empire Conference play.

Golden West (19-6, 5-3 OEC) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first and erupting for seven more in the fourth to put the game out of reach.

Sophomore pitcher Angelique Perez was efficient in the circle, earning her seventh win of the season (7-1) with a complete-game performance. She allowed just three hits and one run over five innings while striking out one and walking one.

At the plate, the Rustlers spread the wealth, collecting nine hits from eight different players. Reggi Frei sparked the offense, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, including an RBI single in the first inning that plated Abbie Rainwater, who later added an RBI single of her own during the fourth-inning outburst.

Lola Weber delivered the knockout blow with a two-run double down the left field line in the fourth, capping a stretch of seven consecutive runs that gave Golden West an insurmountable 9-1 lead.

Isabella Villegas and Miriam Talstein each chipped in RBI singles off the bench, while Desyree Arizmendi added an RBI knock to keep the pressure on the Dons defense.

Santa Ana (11-18, 0-8 OEC) broke up the shutout in the fourth with a sacrifice fly from Karen Vasquez that scored Grace Potter, but the Dons managed just three hits overall and were unable to keep up with the Rustlers' offensive onslaught.

The Rustlers travel to Santa Ana tomorrow 4/4 to complete the sweep against the Dons at 2pm.