Rustlers Complete Dramatic Comeback, Walk Off Canyons 12–11

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — The Golden West College softball team erased an eight-run deficit and capped a thrilling comeback with a walk-off RBI single to defeat College of the Canyons, 12–11, on Monday afternoon at home.

With the win, the Rustlers improved to 9–3 overall.

Canyons jumped out to an early advantage, scoring two unearned runs in the first inning and adding six more in the second to build an 8–0 lead. Golden West got on the board in the fourth inning as Siena Rodriguez delivered an RBI single and Ariana Hernandez followed with an RBI base hit to trim the deficit to 8–2.

The Rustlers erupted in the fifth inning, scoring six runs to tie the game. Isabella Gallegos and Erica Madrid each drove in runs with singles, Callie Burnett added a sacrifice fly, Rodriguez collected her second RBI of the game, and Hernandez doubled to bring Golden West within one before the tying run scored on a Canyons error.

After the Cougars regained the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth, Golden West again answered. Isabella Villegas drove in a run on a groundout, Jaxton Marshall added an RBI single, and Hernandez delivered her third RBI of the day with a double to knot the score at 11–11.

In the bottom of the seventh, Mya Santiago reached base to lead off the inning and later scored the winning run when Madrid lined a single to left-center, completing the walk-off victory.

Madrid finished 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Hernandez went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Rodriguez added two hits and two RBIs, and Golden West totaled 16 hits in the contest.

In the circle, Angelique Perez earned the win to improve to 5–0, tossing 5.1 innings of relief, allowing three runs while striking out seven. Perez stabilized the game after an early exit by the starter and held the Cougars in check down the stretch.

Golden West will look to carry the momentum from the comeback victory into tomorrow's game against Citrus College at 2pm