City College swung their way to a mercy rule victory on Thursday, defeating league opponent Oxnard College in five innings at Pershing Park.
The Vaqueros, (20-16 overall, 11-5 conference) were led by Brianna Portese (No. 7) and Amanda Caras (No. 22). Portese finished the game with a home run, double and a single and knocked in three runs. Caras had two doubles and a single, scored twice and had two runs batted in.
City College got on the board when third basemen Chrystal Vierra (No. 17) knocked in Danielle de Castro (No. 19) who doubled. Caras and Portese came up with back-to-back, two-out doubles and the Vaqueros went up three runs on five pitches to start the game.
The Condors (4-32, 2-14) came back in the top of the second, scoring two runs on two hits off of Vaqueros’ starting pitcher Celeste Acosta (No. 1). The Vaqueros were able to get those two runs back in the bottom of the second inning after three consecutive doubles by Alex Abbott (No. 14), Alice Cen (No. 23) and de Castro.
Portese extended City College’s lead with a two-run blast over the left field fence for her second home run of the season. This put the Vaqueros up 7-2 and Acosta didn’t allow the Condors to get any closer.
Cen ended the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, knocking in Nicole Bennett (No. 21) from third. Bennett entered the game as a pinch hitter and promptly tripled down the right field line scoring Abbott.
Head coach Paula Congleton said she was very satisfied with the offensive performance her squad displayed on Thursday. With eight doubles, three Vaqueros with two, the bats were hot and the hits were contagious.
“We really drove the gap,” said Congleton. “We just told them to keep their hands high, wait on the ball, and drive the barrel.”
City College recorded 14 hits on the day between eight batters. Yet coach Congleton stressed how the last week was a big disappointment for the team, splitting a double header with Ventura and Oxnard, giving Oxnard their second league win of the season.
“I knew we just had to come out strong against this team,” said de Castro. “You can’t underestimate anyone in this league.”
The team’s playoff hopes were struck down when league leader Hancock College defeated Cuesta, 6-2.
City College plays its final series against Moorpark in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at Pershing Park.
