CHAFFEY BREAKS SBVC'S STREAK WITH 7-3 WIN
The Chaffey Panthers traveled to Loma Linda to play San Bernardino Valley College on Friday in a big Inland Empire Athletic Conference showdown. SBVC entered the game with an undefeated conference mark of 4-0 (9-10 overall) while Chaffey came in with a 4-2 record (12-10 overall).
The Panthers made a statement, jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the 5th inning before the Wolverines scored 3 runs for a final score of 7-3 in favor of Chaffey.
The visitors utilized a balanced attack, scoring at least once in each of the 2nd through 5th frames, with 7 different hitters collecting an RBI.
The Panthers started the scoring in the 2nd inning when freshman first baseman Hailey Marquez led off with a left field double. With two outs, sophomore outfielder Cora Garcia ripped another double to make it a 1-0 game. Both Marquez and Garcia collected two hits on the day.
In the third inning, Chaffey added a pair of runs when leadoff hitter Alyah Rueff singled and stole second base (Rueff had 2 hits and 2 stolen bases on the day) and came around to score on a single by sophomore Marisa Marquez. Later in the inning sophomore Lexi Alaniz-Diaz scored Marquez with a sacrifice fly to right field, making it a 3-0 game.
The fourth inning saw the Panthers take a commanding lead with four straight hits to open the frame. Garcia and sophomore catcher Victoria Esparza led off with singles, followed by an RBI double from shortstop Coie Carter. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Rueff laid down an RBI bunt single and then outfielder Katie Avellaneda hit a sac fly to centerfield to knock in another run.
Esparza singled home the final Panther run in the 5th inning, scoring sophomore Clarissa Banuelos.
Chaffey's defense was again outstanding, with Carter, Alaniz-Diaz and Hailey Marquez ending all hopes of an SBVC rally by executing a brilliant 7th-inning double play.
In the circle, Alexya Naranjo gave up just four hits, striking out four to pick up her 7th win on the season. Tori (Victoria) Morton came on to pitch two scoreless innings, striking out two in closing out the win.
Submitted by Head Coach Jerry Tivey