Rustlers Rally Past Oxnard, 5–2, for Sixth Win of the Season

Huntington Beach, Calif. - The Golden West College softball team overcame an early deficit and received dominant relief pitching to earn a 5–2 home victory over Oxnard College on Tuesday afternoon. The win improves the Rustlers to 6–3 on the season.

Oxnard (1–10) jumped out to a quick 2–0 lead with RBI doubles in the first and second innings. Marylou Flores drove in the first run with a double to right-center, and Taetum Bill added another RBI double in the second.

Golden West responded in the bottom half of the second. Siena Rodriguez delivered an RBI single to left field, bringing home Mya Santiago to cut the deficit to 2–1.

The Rustlers continued to chip away in the third inning when Isabella Gallegos ripped an RBI double to center, scoring Callie Burnett to even the game at 2–2.

Golden West took its first lead in the fourth inning. After Ilysa Hoepelman crossed the plate, Audrey Reyes lined an RBI single to center to put the Rustlers ahead 3–2.

The insurance runs came in the fifth inning. Erica Madrid blasted a triple down the right-field line to score Burnett, and Santiago followed with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 5–2.

Burnett paced the offense, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base, while Madrid finished 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. Gallegos added a double and an RBI, and Rodriguez contributed an RBI single as Golden West totaled nine hits on the afternoon.

In the circle, Erica Rivera earned the no decision, allowing two runs on five hits over three innings of work. Angelique Perez was outstanding in relief earning the win, tossing four shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out six to secure the victory.

The Rustlers were sharp defensively, committing no errors, while Oxnard committed one miscue.

Golden West will host LA Harbor tomorrow at 2pm.