Bulldogs Crush L.A. Pierce 35-1, Clam Sole Possession of First Place

The Bulldogs scored early and often collecting 24 hits as the Allan Hancock College softball team crushed L.A. Pierce 35-1 in five-innings to claim sole possession of first place on Thursday afternoon. 

Hancock improved to 12-3 in Western State Conference play and 23-13 for the season. The Bulldogs moved one game ahead of second place Cuesta (11-4) and stayed two games ahead of third place Santa Barbara (9-4) after the Vaqueros defeated the Cougars 5-2 on Thursday. The Brahmas remained winless and dropped to 0-13 in conference and 0-18 overall. 

The Bulldogs scored four in the first, seven in the second, six more in the third, seven in the fourth and finished with 11 runs in the fifth.

Jessica Rothanzl went 4 for 4 with a walk, was hit twice with pitches, scored five times and drove in five. Kristine Ramos scored six times and collected three hits. St. Joseph High School graduate Denae Garnett went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI, Elysha Cortez went 2 for 3 with one RBI. Paige Cosand legged out one triple among her three hits in six at-bats to go with 3 RBI. Tawny Nunes had two hits, including a home run, along with 3 RBI. Missy Regalado drove in four runs and walked twice.

Gianna Abatti added a two-run double during her only plate appearance.

Katie Chenault threw three hitless innings for Hancock and recorded all nine outs via the strikeout to add to her state-leading total. Serena Fernandez threw the final two innings and allowed one run, two hits and struck out two.

Hancock went 3-0 against the Pierce this season and outscored the Brahmas by a combined score of 93-1. 

The Bulldogs open a three-game home stand next Thursday, April 17, to close the regular season. Hancock hosts Cuesta in a first place showdown at 2:30 p.m., in what will be the first game played on Hancock's newly renovated field on campus. The Bulldogs also play a doubleheader against Ventura at home on Tuesday, April 22.