Hosting the state's #4 ranked Orange Coast College (28-6) on Saturday on Sophomore Day, the Cerritos College softball team gave family and friends plenty to cheer about. The Falcons (27-10), ranked #11 in the state, scored four times in the bottom of the seventh inning to extend the game, but ended up suffering a 7-6 loss in eight innings. The team will host Compton College on Monday at 3:00 p.m. in a South Coast Conference make-up game.

Trailing 6-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Cerritos took advantage of four walks, a hit batter and a game-tying two-run, two-out single by freshman third baseman Marley Cortez (Gahr HS). The inning started with both sophomore outfielder Morgan Fontela (Long Beach Millikan HS) and sophomore first baseman Briana Zarate (Legacy HS/Compton College) drawing walks, which chased relief pitcher Laura Episom. Taking over in the circle was Kelsey McNair, who leads the state with seven saves. She hit sophomore catcher Vicky Najera (El Rancho HS) to load the bases before a fielder's choice by sophomore shortstop Ayiana Cardenas (Walnut HS) brought home the first run of the inning. Freshman Sienna Contreras (John Glenn HS), who remained in the game after walking in a pinch-hitting role two innings earlier, walked again to load the bases.

After the second out was recorded, freshman second baseman Amarie Encarnacion (Norwalk HS) plated a run with her bases loaded walk, which led to the two-run single by Cortez to tie the game.

With the game extended, the Pirates were able to get a one-out single by Victoria Ruiz, who advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt. McNair (4-0), who went on to record the win in the circle, broke the tie with a base hit to right field.

The Falcons rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning and load the bases with two outs when Najera singled, followed by walks to Cardenas and Contreras. However, freshman outfielder Carissa Amaya (El Rancho HS) struck out to end the game.

Cortez went 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI, while Contreras walked three times and scored a run. Freshman pitcher Tatyana Cortez (La Serna HS) tossed a complete game and struck out four batters, while not allowing a walk. She is second in the state with 206 strikeouts on the year.