SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Santa Ana Softball team earned a 5-4 win over Riverside City (5-10, 1-4) after scoring two runs in the seventh inning capped by a walk-off wild pitch in Friday's Orange Empire Conference (OEC) matchup.
With RCC ahead 4-3, Mel Avila got the Dons (8-10. 4-3) started with a lead-off walk in the bottom of the seventh. Payton Samuels then did her job by laying down a sacrifice bunt to put some pressure on the Tigers. But an errant throw gave Santa Ana more than they hoped for as Avila and Samuels moved to second and third with no outs.
Following another walk from Nyah Veals, the Dons saw Jayleena Perez come up clutch by putting a ball in play to pick up a game tying RBI on a fielder's choice.
Santa Ana would win it on the next at-bat as Samuels took home on a wild pitch to close the game.
With runs at a premium, Brittany Van Sickle produced in a big way. The sophomore outfielder went 2-for-2 while adding two walks and two runs against the Tigers.
Jojo Westerfield and Sierra Griego also contributed for SAC as the sophomores combined for three runs batted in.
Ale Guzman got the start in the circle for the Dons and five innings while giving up just three runs and striking out one. Katie Neal earned her sixth win as she closed out the final two innings.
Santa Ana will host Fullerton on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in another OEC matchup after Monday's doubleheader with San Diego Mesa was canceled.