McHenry’s Clutch Hitting Lifts Warriors to Walk-Off Win over Cerritos in Extras

TORRANCE, Calif. --- Jazmin McHenry played the hero on Thursday afternoon as No. 4 El Camino College downed No. 5 Cerritos 5-4 in nine innings at the ECC Softball Field.

McHenry went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and walked twice while delivering the game-winning hit in the ninth inning. Trinity Martinez and Gabby Merced each went 2-for-4 while Kamaile Ho picked the win in in relief, tossing three innings and striking out five.

The Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the third after McHenry doubled to right field with runners on first and second. Melissa Terrazas scored easily from second but McHenry was caught too far off the bag at second, resulting in a rundown. McHenry would be called out for running out of the baseline for the second out but Merced was able to score during the pickle to put the Warriors up 2-0.

The Falcons scored in the fifth to cut the Warriors' lead in half but ECC got that run right back in the sixth to take a 3-1 lead.

In the seventh, the Falcons led off the frame with consecutive singles off reliever Estrella Tapia. Ho was brought in to pitch but Marley Cortez smacked a double to center field over McHenry's head. One runner scored on the play and then the tying run scored after McHenry had issues fielding the ball in the outfield.

Ho would retire the next three batters in order to send the game to extras.

In the ninth, the Falcons scratched out a run on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-3. With one out in the bottom of the inning, Miranda Morelos singled to right and then Sophia Munguia singled softly over the third baseman's head to put the game-tying and game-winning runs on base.

Merced then tied the game up as she blasted a double to left-center, scoring Morelos. McHenry then secured the win as she smacked a single through the right side of the drawn-in infield to plate Munguia with the winning run and give the Warriors the comeback win.

The Warriors have now won six straight games and will host Cypress on Saturday afternoon at the ECC Softball Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.