Love, Chenault Lead Hancock to 3-1 Win at Ventura, Bulldogs Enter Tie for First

(VENTURA, CA) Megan Love delivered a two-run single to cap a three-run fourth inning and Katie Chenault struck out 13 in the Allan Hancock College softball team's 3-1 win at Ventura College on Thursday. The Bulldogs improved to 7-2 in Western State Conference play and 18-8 overall. Hancock is now tied for first place in the conference with idle Cuesta. Ventura dropped a half game behind at 6-2 in WSC action and 13-9-1 overall.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Chenault and Tawny Nunes led off with back-to-back singles. Tiana McWhorter laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached base safely on the play. Paige Cosand grounded out to third to score pinch runner Elysha Cortez from third with the first run of the game. Two batters later, Love delivered a two-run single to score Nunes and McWhorer to cap the three-run inning. 

Chenault held the Pirates' bats in check until they scored one run in the seventh. With the tying run at the plate, the freshman coaxed a ground ball to end the game. 

She scattered three hits and issued one walk to earn the victory.

Hancock tallied eight hits led by two apiece from Kristine Ramos, Nunes and Love. Ramos also stole two bases. Jessica Rothanzl clubbed a double to account for Hancock's only extra-base hit.

The Bulldogs continue their seven-game road trip at Ventura's Spring Tournament on Saturday and Sunday. They face Glendale (10:30 a.m.) and Long Beach (1 p.m.) on Saturday before taking on Cerritos (1:30 p.m.) and Cypress (3:30 p.m.) on Sunday. After the four non-conference games, Hancock returns home to host Oxnard in a WSC doubleheader on Tuesday, April 1, at the Hagerman Sports Complex. The games are set to begin at 1 and 3 p.m.