COD Softball rallies for 1st win of 2022, shoots down Owls, 11-9

COD (1-4) grabbed their first win of 2022 in dramatic fashion, scoring four runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game, sending the contest into extra innings, then winning it on a two run home run by sophomore right handed starting pitcher Lauren Robinson (La Quinta H.S.) as the Roadrunners chased away the Citrus Fighting Owls of Glendora (3-7), 11-9 in 8 innings.

Sophomore right handed starting pitcher Lauren Robinson (La Quinta H.S.) tossed five innings, surrendering five runs, four earned on seven hits, striking out one and walking one. Freshman right handed relief pitcher Amaya Magana (La Quinta H.S.) grabbed her first win of the 2022 season, throwing the final three innings, surrendering four runs, all earned, on six hits.

Freshman short stop Davia Hines (Palm Springs H.S.) went 2 for 4 with a run scored out of the leadoff spot and freshman center fielder Annabelle Amador (Indio Shadow Hills) went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, out of the two hole in the lineup.

Robinson went 2 for 5 with a run scored and two runs batted in and sophomore catcher Natalie Avila (Rancho Mirage H.S.) went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and two walks.

Freshman third baseman Elizabeth Felix (Rancho Mirage H.S.) went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, out of the seven hole in the lineup.

Citrus would get on the scoreboard first, plating three runs in the bottom of the first, on three doubles and giving the home side a 3-0 lead.

The Roadrunners would respond in the top of the third, when Amador clobbered a two out single to left scoring freshman first baseman Faithe Dudra (Yucca Valley H.S.) from second and getting Desert to within two, 3-1.

Desert would take the lead in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs. Hines would lead off with a triple to right and then scored on a wild pitch and Felix would hit a two out home run to left center, scoring Avila and Amador, giving the Roadrunners a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, Robinson was switched to first base and Magana came in with two on and no one out. A bases loaded single would score a run, other bases loaded single would score another run, a sacrifice bunt would score a third run and a triple with a throwing error would clear the bases. Relief came in the form of a double play, but the damage had been done, the Fighting Owls had scored six runs on seven hits, giving the home side a 9-5 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Desert would tie the game at 9-9, beginning with a single to right by Robinson. Freshman pinch runner Natalie Maldonado (Rancho Mirage H.S.) would check in to run for Robinson and freshman right fielder Lydia Adams (Anza Hamilton) would reach on an error by the Citrus first baseman. Avila would single to score Maldonado and Felix singled to score Adams. Maldonado would reappear to hit an infield ground out, scoring Avila and Magana clobbered an infield single to score Felix, tying the game.

In the top of the eighth, Amador led off the inning with a single to left and Robinson crushed a home run to center. After a one-two-three bottom of the eighth, the Roadrunners walked away victors.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com).