COD Softball walks-off in extras, sweeps Arabs, 6-5

COD (14-13; 5-5) moved back above .500 for the season as they grabbed a come from behind walk-off win in the ninth inning, sweeping the season series with the Imperial Valley Arabs (6-14; 3-9) in the same week, 6-5.

Desert jumped on the visitors early, snagging a run in the bottom of the second as the Conference Player of the Month, freshman right handed starting pitcher Lauren Robinson (La Quinta H.S.) led off the inning with a double to left, then came around to score on a sacrifice fly to center by freshman center fielder Carmina Camarena (Rancho Mirage H.S.), giving the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead.

The Roadrunners would add three more runs in the third as sophomore short stop Briana Alcorn (Indio H.S.) hit a bases clearing triple to center field, scoring two runs and then sophomore third baseman Areli Moreno (Indio H.S.) hit a sacrifice fly to the Arabs short stop, who had darted deep into shallow left field, allowing Alcorn to score from third base and giving Desert a 4-0 advantage.

 Unfortunately, Imperial Valley would score twice in the fourth and twice in the fifth, to tie the game at 4-4.

Going into the extra frames, both coaches chose to not use the "international rules" option for extra innings, placing a runner at second base to start each inning. A move that proved costly to the Arabs and the Roadrunners in the eighth.

In the top of the ninth, Imperial Valley scored, taking a 5-4 lead, but Desert would tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth on a brutal three base error by the Arabs third baseman, who tried to gun down freshman second baseman Jacqueline Bolha (Yucca Valley H.S.) at first base, but instead chucked the ball into deep foul territory.

After a pop out to second base for the second out, Robinson double to left field, stunned that the game was over, she looked around and mouthed, "was that it?" Then the Roadrunners stormed the field to celebrate Robinson's walk off double.

Robinson commented later, "first at bat I thought I did great cause last time we played them I only had two hits (as well) again too, but my last at bat, I knew I just needed to get the ball in play no matter what, and so I just relaxed and hit the ball."

Robinson had a great day in the circle as well, tossing nine innings, allowing eleven hits, five runs, which four were earned, walking one and grabbing five strikeouts in her eighth win of 2019. "I thought I did pretty well, you know I've been pitching all week, so today was pretty good for me in the circle."

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

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

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com).