Rothanzl, McWhorter Lead First Place Bulldogs by Moorpark, 8-1

(Santa Maria, CA) Jessica Rothanzl clubbed a two-run home run in the first inning to give the Bulldogs the lead for good during the Allan Hancock College softball team's 8-1 win over Moorpark on Thursday at the Hagerman Sports Complex.

The Bulldogs improved to 10-2 in Western State Conference play to stay tied for first with Cuesta in the standings. Hancock also moved to 21-12 overall.

Katie Chenault struck out nine to give her 290 and add to her program record for most strikeouts in a single-season. The freshman scattered four hits in the victory. She allowed one run in the sixth inning.

Kristine Ramos started the first inning with a basehit and eventually scored on Rothanzl's fourth home run of the season as Hancock took an early 2-0 lead. 

They added three more in the fourth when Ramos delivered a two-run double to score Tiana McWhorter and Gianna Abatti, each of whom singled earlier in the frame. Ramos, the sophomore, scored on a ground ball from Rothanzl to make it 5-0 Bulldogs after four. 

After Moorpark scored once in the sixth, the Bulldogs extended their lead with three runs in the bottom half. Rothanzl added a RBI-single to drive in Megan Love, who had walked and stolen second base. After Missy Regalado singled and Chenault walked to load the bases, Tawny Nunes and Paige Cosand each drew bases loaded walks to cap the scoring at 8-1 Hancock. The Bulldogs walked four times in the inning.

McWhorter led the Bulldog offense with three hits. Ramos and Rothanzl had two hits each. Rothanzl, a freshman, added to her team-leading RBI total with four more on the day. 

The Bulldogs start a road trip next week with a doubleheader at Santa Barbara on Tuesday.