Diaz Throws Gem and Gonzalez Homers in Bulldogs' 8-1 WSC Win at Santa Monica

Sophomore Hannah Diaz pitched a complete game, and Crystal Gonzalez collected three hits, including a home run, to help the Allan Hancock College softball team defeat Santa Monica 8-1 in a conference game on Tuesday. Hancock improved to 5-1 in Western State Conference play and 14-8-1 on the season. Moorpark fell to 1-4 in league and 7-14 on the season. Hancock remained half a game out of first place behind the Renegades of Bakersfield who are 6-1 in conference.

Hancock scored a single run in the first to take an early lead when Nakaila Fuggs singled home Gonzalez, who led off the game with a single. The Corsairs tied it with a run in the second, but Hancock regained the lead 2-1 by pushing one across the plate in the third on a RBI-single off the bat of Bailey Killough.

The Bulldogs erupted for five runs in the fifth. The rally started with a solo home run by Gonzalez, her third of the season. Mallory Towsend and Killough added run-scoring singles, while Alyssa Gonzalez added a RBI-double to help Hancock build a 7-1 lead. Alyssa Gonzalez added a RBI-single in the seventh to account for Hancock's scoring on the day.

Crystal Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a single, double, home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Fuggs went 1-for3 with two runs scored, one RBI and three stolen bases. Killough went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and two runs score. Alyssa Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI.

Hancock outhit the Corsairs 11 to six in the win.

Diaz earned the win by scattering six hits and an unearned run over seven innings. The Pioneer Valley High School graduate struck out five and did not issue a walk.

The Bulldogs play at Moorpark on Wednesday, March 28, at 1 p.m. before returning home to host Santa Barbara City College at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Moorpark is 1-4 in conference action and 13-11 overall. The Raiders are 8-2 at home this season.