Royals recover from slow start, beat Dons

After giving up two runs in the top of the first, San Marcos came back and scored four runs in the bottom of the inning and added two more in the third inning en route to a 7-3 win over Santa Barbara in a Channel League softball game on Monday.

A bases-loaded single by Hannah Johnson brought in two runs to tie the score in the first. Amy Medina followed with a two-run double to put the Royals ahead for good.

Santa Barbara got off to a good start as Jazmin Maya opened the game with a single and a stolen base. She went to third on an error on Angela Biancone’s hit and scored the Dons’ first run on a passed ball. Biancone stole second, went to third on the passed ball and came home on a fielder’s choice.

Medina hurt Santa Barbara again in the third, singling home Jennifer Barajas for a 5-2 lead. Angel Mermis drove in Medina with a single and Hannah Ball walked with the bases load to make the score 7-2.

Santa Barbara ended the scoring in the fourth inning when Sheila Lopez scored on a passed ball.
 
Medina, Mermis and Stephanie Swann each had two hits for the Royals (8-7, 4-4). Kristen Berlo went the distance on the mound, allowing five hits walking one and striking out seven.

Santa Barbara fell to 6-14, 0-8.