The Cerritos College softball team pulled off a dramatic late-inning comeback to defeat El Camino College on Friday afternoon.

Trailing 5-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Falcons rallied for three runs to walk off with the victory and cap an impressive comeback after falling behind early.

El Camino jumped out to a fast start, scoring three runs in the first inning highlighted by a two-run triple from Kate Pedroza. The Warriors added another run in the second and extended their lead to 5-1 in the fifth behind an RBI double from Sophia Munguia.

Cerritos chipped away in the second inning when Amarie Encarnacion drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run. The Falcons then made it a two-run game in the fifth as Tatyana Cortez blasted a two-run home run, scoring Luna Villa and cutting the deficit to 5-3.

In the circle, Cortez was dominant in relief, settling things down after a tough start and tossing 6.1 innings while striking out seven to earn the victory.

The Falcons saved their best for last in the seventh inning. Bella Salas came in to score on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to make it 5-4. Moments later, Isabella Najera delivered the game-winning hit, lining a two-run single to left field to score Cortez and Villa and complete the comeback.

Offensively, Cerritos was led by Najera, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI. Villa also had a big day, collecting three hits and scoring twice, while Cortez finished with three runs scored and two RBI, including her pivotal home run.

Cerritos will look to carry the momentum from this win into its non-conference matchups tomorrow against Moorpark and Southwestern.