Vaqueros rack up 20 runs, then suffer 2-0 shutout

It was a roller-coaster day for SBCC on Friday as the Vaqueros blasted San Diego City 20-2 in five innings, then suffered their first loss of the softball season – a 2-0 decision to Imperial Valley. Both games were played at San Diego City College.

Sloane Greeley, a freshman left fielder from New York City, was 3-4 with six RBIs and four runs in the first game. Monica Salas went 3-4 with a single, double and triple. Alyssa Richter continued her hot hitting, going 2-3 with three RBIs and three runs. Richter has two hits in each of her first four games and leads the team in batting at .571.

Lauren Hope Ballard went 2-4 with two RBIs for the Vaqueros (3-1), who rapped out 17 hits, including four doubles and two triples.

Calista Wendell and Rebecca Pullen combined on a five-hitter. Wendell (1-0) went the first three innings, giving up one run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

"We came out strong and kept the pressure on them," said 19th-year coach Paula Congleton. "Our pitchers did a great job in both games. Nearly everyone in our lineup had multiple hits in the first game. That shows in the final score."

The Vaqueros, ranked No. 10 in Southern Cal, led 7-1 after three innings, then erupted for 13 runs in the fourth. SBCC sent 17 batters to the plate and they collected nine hits and four walks. Michaela Peters and Greeley had two-run singles sandwiched around a two-run double to center field by Richter.

The 20 runs are the most for the Vaqueros since April 3, 2014 when they beat L.A. Pierce 24-0.

Sinclaire Mays tossed a five-hit shutout for Imperial Valley (9-2). The Arabs were held to four singles by Pullen (3 innings) and Wendell tossed no-hit ball over the last three innings. Imperial Valley scored single runs in the second and third frames.

"They had a real solid pitcher and we just couldn't string together enough hits," said Congleton.

The Vaqueros have outscored their first four opponents 38-5.

Saturday's game at defending state champion Santiago Canyon has been postponed by rain and rescheduled for Tuesday, April 18 at Santiago Canyon in Orange at 3 p.m.

The Vaqueros travel to No. 6 Canyons (5-0) on Tuesday for a 2:30 p.m. game.