COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Kirkwood’s Triple Lifts Rancho Santiago Into First-Place Tie

Kirsten Kirkwood’s big hit gave Rancho Santiago a 3-0 victory over Cypress on Wednesday and moved the Dons into a first-place tie in the Orange Empire Conference softball standings.

The home victory lifted the Dons (24-10, 14-2) into a tie with the Chargers (39-7, 14-2) and stopped Cypress’ 13-game conference winning streak. The last time Cypress lost a conference game, the Dons rallied for two runs in the seventh inning for a 2-1 victory March 2.

The victory also would make Rancho Santiago the No. 1 seeded team in the postseason if the teams finish in a tie.

Kirkwood hit a two-out triple with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, driving in all three runs. It was her first triple this season.

“I just wanted to put it in play, and it ended up going through,” Kirkwood said. “This was the biggest victory we could have in conference right now.”

The Chargers’ inability to convert cost them early. Cypress stranded eight runners in the first four innings, including three in the first. They stranded nine for the game.

Amy Tessman (16-7) settled down after the fourth, retiring nine of the last 10 batters she faced. She gave up eight hits, struck out two and walked two.

Jenny Lopez shut down Rancho Santiago in every inning but the fourth. She gave up five hits, struck out three, and retired the final six batters she faced.

In the fourth, Carol Lizalde singled and Becky Ericksen and Tessman each reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases and set the stage for Kirkwood.