RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Whenever you score 10 runs in the first inning of a softball game, you're doing something right.

The Cordova Lady Lancers did just that at home April 3 against visiting Grant and rode that momentum to a 16-3 victory that was called midway through the fifth inning, due to the double-digit mercy rule.

The Lady Lancers (4-5 overall, 2-1 Metro League at press time) set the tone early, scoring double-digit runs in the bottom of the first inning, with four players recording at least one RBI (Run Batted In). 

 

Lady Lancer Deena Venegas hits a double against Grant on April 3. 

The highlight was a three-run inside-the park home run to just right of centerfield by junior Briel Brookins, and that was followed up by a home run from sophomore power hitter Becca Lee in the next at-bat, her third of the season. 

The Pacers (2-9 overall, 0-3 Metro League at press time) simply dug themselves too deep of a hole to climb out of at that point. The Lady Lancers added six more runs before the game was called after the top of the fifth inning.

"Very impressed," said Lady Lancers' head coach Kim Little after the game, regarding what she saw from her team in the first inning. "Especially making the adjustments to their (Grant) pitching, not making excuses. Everybody's bats were hot and even just mentally staying in a game like this. Sometimes that can be tough."

 

Briel Brookins beats the throw at home to score a run for Cordova against Grant.

Senior Adriana Arana and Lee both led the team with three hits apiece on the day, with six others recording at least one hit in the contest. 

Sophomore pitcher Isabella Tarpley-Cruz also put together an impressive performance on the mound for Cordova, tallying 10 strikeouts in five innings and surrendering just four hits. Her play of late has caught the eye of her coach, who is seeing the youngster start to find her stride.

"Her confidence is growing," Little said of the young pitcher. "She threw a change-up for the first time that actually got called for a strike and she was pretty pumped. There's been lots and lots of growth from her. There's been such a difference from last year to this year. She's still young and still has so much growth in her."

 

Becca Lee walks back to the dugout after hitting a home run over the center field fence against Grant.

At press time, the Lady Lancers won their last two consecutive Metro League contests and sat in third-place within league standings. The team will head into spring break following two road games earlier this week at Antelope and West Park and will return to the diamond on April 22 when they travel to face McClatchy. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.