Chenault Strikes Out 16, Bulldogs Blank Taft 2-0 in Home Opener

Katie Chenault struck out 16 in the Allan Hancock College softball team's 2-0 win over Taft in the Bulldogs' first home game of the season on Thursday. The team's first four home games are being played at the Hagerman Sports Complex while the Bulldogs' home field on campus is undergoing construction.

The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to seven games. They are now 8-3 overall. Taft dropped to 0-11. 

Hancock scored the only runs of the game in the first inning. Kristine Ramos led off with a single and stole second base. After Jessica Rothanzl reached on an error by the Taft shortstop and Chenault walked to load the bases, Missy Regalado hit a sacrifice fly to center field to allow Ramos to tag up and score the first run of the game. Rothanzl later scored when the shortstop made her second error of the inning on a ball hit by Paige Cosand. 

Ramos, a sophomore, led the Bulldogs with a 3 for 3 effort with one run, one double and one stolen base. Megan Love added the only other hit in the game for the Bulldogs. Chenault drew two walks. 

Chenault, who was named the Southern California Pitcher of the Week #2 on Thursday, did not allow a hit until the fourth inning.  The Righetti High School graduate struck out the side in the first and ended the game with four strikeouts in the seventh. She fanned two in four innings.

The Bulldogs continue their home stand at Hagerman on Saturday at 12 p.m., against Citrus College (5-1). Citrus plays a doubleheader at Cuesta (11-5) on Friday.