Rustlers Walk It Off in Season Opener, Top Santa Barbara City 9–8

Huntington Beach, Calif. — The Golden West College Rustlers softball team opened the 2026 season in dramatic fashion Friday afternoon, rallying for a thrilling 9–8 walk-off victory over Santa Barbara City College at home.

Trailing 8–6 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Rustlers delivered a clutch comeback fueled by timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and poise under pressure to secure the season-opening win.

Golden West struck first in the comeback when Ilysa Hoepelmen scored on a failed pickoff attempt, cutting the deficit to 8–7. Moments later, sophomore Callie Burnett delivered the decisive blow, ripping a two-run walk-off triple to right field to bring home Erica Madrid and Audrey Reyes, sealing the victory and igniting a celebration at the Rustlers' dugout.

Burnett finished the day 2-for-5 with three RBIs, including the game-winning hit, while also adding a stolen base. Siena Rodriguez had a standout performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs, and Vivian Espinoza also collected three hits to pace the Rustlers' 12-hit attack.

Golden West erased an early five-run deficit in the second inning when Isabella Villegas delivered a clutch three-run triple, scoring Madrid, Espinoza, and Rodriguez to pull the Rustlers back into the game. Burnett followed with an RBI single later in the inning to make it a one-run contest.

The Rustlers took their first lead in the fifth inning behind another big extra-base hit, as Rodriguez tripled to center field to drive in two runs, giving Golden West a 6–5 advantage.

In the circle, Erica Rivera made the start, tossing four innings and striking out four. Angelique Perez earned the win in relief, going four innings while allowing three runs and helping keep the Rustlers within striking distance late.

Santa Barbara City College jumped out early with five runs over the first two innings and briefly regained the lead with two runs in the top of the eighth, but Golden West responded in the final frame.

The Rustlers will travel to Grossmont on Tuesday, January 27th for a doubleheader starting at 12pm.