COD Softball splits 2-team double header, walks off over Tartars in 2nd game, 11-10

COD (7-17) split a two-team double header, falling in game one to the Victor Valley Rams (4-18) and then grabbing a walk off win over the Compton Tartars (12-21), 11-10.

The three team event, which featured Victor Valley vs. Desert in game one, Compton vs. Victor Valley in game two and in the finale, Compton vs. Desert.

In game one, the Roadrunners jumped out to an early three run lead, plating three runs in the bottom of the first as freshman second baseman and leadoff hitter Tatiana Martinez (Thermal Coachella Valley) reached on an infield single and scored on a wild pitch. Freshman right handed starting pitcher Valerie Rojo (Indio H.S.) would score on an error by the Rams short stop and freshman center fielder Vanessa Madera (Thermal Coachella Valley) would score by stealing second base and an error by the Rams third baseman, as Desert took a 3-0 lead.

Then Victor Valley scored five runs in the top of the second, to give the visitors a 5-3 lead. The Roadrunners would tie the score at 5-5 in the bottom of the fourth as freshman pinch runner Celeste Padilla (Blythe Palo Verde) scored on an infield put out and sophomore third baseman Rebecca Alford (Thermal Coachella Valley) scored on a very wild pitch in the dirt.

The Rams would regain the lead in the top of the fifth with a couple more runs to give Victor Valley a 7-5 lead. The Roadrunners would come roaring back in the bottom of the sixth, as they took the lead, scoring three runs. Alford reached on a single to left, moved to second on a ground out, stole third base and scored on a passed ball. Sophomore short stop Jada Toland (Indio Shadow Hills) would grab a bases loaded walk to score Martinez and Rojo would steal home to give Desert an 8-7 lead.

Unfortunately, the Rams would score four runs in the top of the seventh to take game one, 11-8.

In game two, Compton jumped out to an early 1-0 lead and the Roadrunners responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the first. Madera, Toland and freshman catcher Mya Martinez (Indio Shadow Hills) all hit back-to-back-to-back singles, scoring Madera and then Alford slammed a bases clearing double to center to give the home side a 3-1 lead.

The Tartars would add a run in the top of the second and two more runs in the top of the third to take a 4-3 lead, then Desert crammed three runs across home plate to regain the lead in the bottom of the third. Mya Martinez would double to right center to score Toland and sophomore second baseman Saki Hirata (Tokushima (Japan) Joto) singled to left to score Alford and Mya Martinez to give the Roadrunners a 6-4 lead.

Neither team would relent, as the offensive barrage continued. The Tartars would tie the game at 6-6, with a couple more runs in the top of the fourth, but Desert would reclaim the lead by scoring three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. A single by Alford scored Madera and freshman first baseman Monique Zaragoza (Indio H.S.) clobbered a bases clearing single to left-center to score Alford and Toland, giving the Roadrunners a 9-6 lead.

Desert would add another run in the bottom of the fifth, to take a 10-6 lead, as Mya Martinez brought home a run as she happened to be at the plate when "catcher's interference" was called.

Unfortunately, the Tartars would tie the score in the top of the seventh with a four run outburst, tying the game at 10-10.

Then it was clutch time, as Rojo led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to right field and Madera grabbed a walk. A passed ball moved both runners up and Toland was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs. Mya Martinez would end it when she crushed a single to center, scoring Rojo from third base.

Next game for College of the Desert Softball will be Wednesday, April 11th at 3 p.m., where they will continue Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) play by traveling to Menifee to take on the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles. Hope to see you there.

Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com)

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.