Hancock Softball to Open Regionals with Play-In Game Tuesday at Fullerton

Despite winning more games in the regular season than seven higher-seeded teams, the Allan Hancock College softball team received the No. 18 seed and a play-in game on the road when the 2017 CCCAA Southern Regional bracket was released Saturday. A total of 18 teams made the Southern Regional.

Hancock will play at No. 15 Fullerton on Tuesday, May 2, at 2 p.m. for a spot in the first round. The Bulldogs finished the regular season 27-13 overall and earned a share of the Western State Conference title with Ventura. The Pirates, who went 18-12 during the season, received the No. 16 seed and will host No. 17 Grossmont in the region's other play-in game. The highest-seeded team will play at No. 1 and undefeated Cypress in the first round May 5-6. The lowest-seeded team will travel to No. 2 Mt. San Antonio College. 

Fullerton finished the regular season 19-21. The Hornets came in fifth in the Orange Empire Conference behind No. 1 Cypress, No. 5 Santiago Canyon, No. 11 Santa Ana and Saddleback. Eryka Springer leads the team with a .405 batting average, seven home runs and 44 RBI. Anabel Martinez has nine home runs, 35 RBI and a .396 batting average. The Hornets' top pitcher is Natasha Trujillo, who went 11-7 with a .420 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings.

The Bulldogs are in the playoffs for the third time in four years.