Hancock Knocks Off Riverside, the 10th Ranked Team in California, 8-2

Katie Chenault struck out 10, Missy Regalado crushed a two-run home run, and Jessica Rothanzl collected four singles as the Allan Hancock College softball team won its home opener 8-2 over Riverside on Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs improved to 2-1 after knocking off the Tigers, the fifth ranked team in Southern California and No. 10 squad in the State Preseason Poll. The Tigers fell to 3-2.

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 10^th in the SoCal Regional Preseason Poll, scored twice in the bottom of the second. Judith Salazar doubled home Regalado who hit a leadoff single. Michaela Valencia later delivered a two-out single to drive in Salazar.

Hancock doubled its lead in the third with Regalado's first home run of the season, a blast over the left-center field fence. Riverside scored once in the fourth, but Hancock added to its lead in the home half when Megan Love singled in Valencia with two outs. Love, the Bulldogs' sophomore right fielder, stole second and scored on Rothanzl's single to right field to make it 6-1 Hancock.

After the Tigers scored a run in the top of the sixth, the Bulldogs padded their lead thanks to an error that allowed Valencia to score and an infield single from Chenault.

Overall, Hancock collected 13 hits to Riverside's seven. Valencia went two for three, scored twice, stole four bases, walked once, and drove in one run. Love stole three bases and scored twice. Rothanzl went four for four with one RBI. Regalado and Chenault had two hits apiece. Salazar and freshman third baseman Ashley Ruiz had one hit apiece.

Chenault scattered seven hits and two earned runs. The sophomore who led the state last year with a program record 370 strikeouts did not walk a Riverside hitter and fanned 10. She has struck out 30 in 21 2/3 innings.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to play East Los Angeles on Saturday in Santa Maria. The game was canceled due to the wet weather expected to pass through the area. The Bulldogs will travel to a tournament hosted by Mt. San Jacinto College next week. Their first game is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m. against Grossmont.