[Softball] Hawks Win Wild Game 1 in Split with No. 9 HIU

SANTEE, Calif. – The SDCC softball did something no other GSAC team has done all season and that was defeating Hope International.

The Hawks took a wild Game 1, 4-3, in eight innings before dropping the second game of the doubleheader against the No. 9 Royals 7-0.

Hope International scored first in the opening game with two runs in the top of the third. SDCC added single runs in the sixth and seventh to force extras.

Alicia Corona singled home Lisette Mejias for their first run in the sixth. In the seventh, Jennifer dropped a bunt and reached on the single. In the process, Ashley Rivera scored to tie the game at 2-2. The Hawks looked to take the first game in the bottom of the seventh. Ericka Silva singled to center field, loading the bases with one out. Mejias tried to put down a squeeze bunt but popped the ball in the air resulting in an inning-ending double play.

In the eighth, the Royals scored on a sac fly to take a 3-2 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Corona double to left, advancing Mejias to third. With one out and runners on second and third, Angelica Davis walked to load the bases for Rivera.

With two strikes, Rivera went to go talk to Head Coach Sarah McGrath. Only problem was that it was Rivera's second visit to Coach McGrath in the at-bat. Rule 13.2.1. HIU head coach spotted the error and a 15-minute pause to the game concluded with Rivera being ejected from the game based on the rule. From the NCAA rulebook, "The umpire shall not permit more than one offensive conference per inning. The team representative(s) or player(s) who initiates another charged conference shall be immediately ejected. (Administrative ejection; see Rule 13.2.1.)

With Rivera leaving the game, Katherine Martinez came into the game and dropped the game-tying bunt single scoring Mejias from third. Tied 3-3, Kayla Dominguez drilled an infield single to third base which brought home Corona for the win for the wild finish.

Amaryssa Medina threw all eight innings in the win. SDCC outhit the Royals 8-4 in the contest.

The Royals took out their frustration in Game 2, as SDCC only registered five hits in the shutout loss.

SDCC will host Vanguard on Friday and Saturday for a pair of doubleheaders for their last home games of the season.