Rustlers Strike Early, Hold Off Ventura for 8–4 Home Victory

Huntington Beach, Calif. - The Golden West College Rustlers softball team used a big first inning and timely extra-base hits to secure an 8–4 home victory over the Ventura College Pirates on Monday afternoon, improving to 4–2 on the season.

Golden West wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, erupting for four runs in the opening inning. After Audrey Reyes crossed the plate on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Isabella Gallegos, Mya Santiago delivered the decisive blow with a three-run triple to right-center, giving the Rustlers an early 4–0 advantage.

The Pirates answered with a run in the third, but Golden West responded in the fourth inning as Reyes ripped an RBI double, and Isabella Santiago followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 6–1.

The Rustlers continued to add insurance in the fifth inning when Isabella Villegas came off the bench and crushed a two-run triple to right-center, extending the Golden West lead to 8–1.

Ventura mounted a late push, scoring two runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh, but Golden West pitching closed the door to preserve the four-run win.

Offensively, Reyes had a standout performance, finishing 1-for-1 with two runs scored, an RBI, a double, and three walks. Ilysa Hoepelman went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Callie Burnett added two hits. Santiago led all hitters with three RBIs, and Villegas drove in two in her pinch-hit appearance.

In the circle, Erica Rivera earned the win, improving to 3–1 on the season. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits over four innings, issuing four walks and striking out two. Angelique Perez picked up the save over the final three innings, striking out three while working through traffic late.

Golden West totaled eight runs on eight hits, drew six walks, and committed no errors defensively.

The Rustlers will look to build on their momentum as they continue their early-season homestand tomorrow at 2pm against Victor Valley College.