Zeitlin, Carrillo have right stuff for Vaqueros

Lisa Zeitlin went 4-for-4 with three runs scored Tuesday afternoon and reliever Jeana Carrillo retired the first 10 batters she faced as SBCC routed Glendale 10-2 in a nonconference softball game at Pershing Park.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first, the hometown Vaqueros (the teams share the same nickname) rallied for their third straight win. Santa Barbara (6-1), which has outscored its opponents 45-17, improved to 5-0 at home.

“There was no panic when we fell behind,” said Zeitlin. “We just fight right back. It’s becoming a pattern for us.”

SBCC sent 10 batters to the plate in the second and scored four runs on seven hits. They added four more in the fourth to stretch the lead to 8-2.

The game was called after six innings due to the eight-run rule. Laura Cannon (2 hits, 2 runs) opened the sixth with a single. Zeitlin got her fourth single on a bunt and Paty Martinez stroked an RBI single to left, scoring Cannon. After Kailey Snyder walked to load the bases, Elicity Fabing hit a chopper to second base but Zeitlin beat the throw home, ending the game.

Second baseman Jasmyne Holmes was 2-3 with a two-run double in the fourth. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, SBCC stormed back with four runs in the second on RBI singles by Laura Cannon, Lauren Takayesu, Joan Cannon and Nicole Adair.

Carrillo came on in the top of the third and retired 10 straight hitters with three strikeouts. Brittni Spear singled with one out in the sixth but she was erased on an inning-ending double play. First baseman Kellee Venturi snared a line-drive, then stepped on the bag to end the inning.

“I was throwing the curve a lot, along with the screwball and fastball,” said Carrillo, a freshman from Lompoc High. “It’s always nice to be on a hitting team. We’re all out there doing our job and everyone is contributing.”

Every starter had at least one hit as the Vaqueros tied their season hit with 17 hits.

“Our offensive prowess is definitely showing,” said coach Paula Congleton. “That’s the great thing about this team — we show so much character. If the other team scores two, we’ll come back with three or four.

“Lisa has been on fire (at the plate). Her nickname is ‘Clutch’ and she certainly was today. She’s playing great at third base also.”

SBCC was 17-for-35 (.486) on Tuesday, raising the team average over .390.

The Vaqueros open WSC Gold Division play on Thursday with a 2:30 p.m. home game against Ventura.

 Meza, Atallah (6) and Hernandez; Gazzaniga, Carrillo (3) and Holloway. W–Carrillo 3-1. L–Meza.
 2B–SB: Wong, Holmes.
 Records–GC 5-7. SBCC 6-1.