SCC HAWKS WALK IT OFF ON ORANGE COAST

Freshman third baseman Violet Avila came through in the clutch, driving in the game-winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Hawks an 8–7 walk-off victory over Orange Coast College.

With the tying run on third and momentum fully on their side, Avila stepped to the plate and delivered. After taking the first pitch for a ball, she barreled a fastball into the right-center gap, bringing home the winning run and completing a dramatic comeback.

The Hawks entered the final inning trailing 7–3, looking to bounce back after falling via mercy rule in Tuesday's series opener. After the leadoff batter was retired on a hard groundout, sophomore Emily Ceballos ignited the rally with an infield single. Freshman shortstop Mikayla Martinez followed with a sharp line drive single up the middle. Both runners later advanced on a wild pitch. Freshman center fielder Carmen Sanchez was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out.

Sophomore catcher Allie Kirkpatrick, who earlier launched a solo blast over the left field wall in the third inning, put the pressure on with a ground ball that skipped between the shortstop's legs, allowing all three runners to score and cut the deficit to 7–6.

Freshman first baseman Maya Medina tied the game in the next at-bat with a single up the middle. Taking advantage of a misplay in center field, Medina advanced to third base to set the stage for Avila's game-winning hit.

The Hawks totaled 11 hits on the day, with all but one starter recording at least one. Kirkpatrick led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Martinez added a 2-for-3 performance with a double and two runs, while Medina contributed the game-tying RBI and scored the winning run.

In the circle, freshman Brianna Longaker started and pitched 4.1 innings, striking out two while keeping the Pirates in check through the early frames. She was lifted for sophomore reliever Victoria Recendez in the fifth inning.

E. Ceballos (2–1) earned the win in relief, tossing two innings and allowing just one hit while striking out three, all in the top of the seventh, to keep the Hawks within striking distance.

Story by Nicho DellaValle, Santiago Canyon College