San Marcos pitcher Hailee Rios struck out 15 Ventura batters, but the Cougars scored a run in the 11th inning and beat the Royals 5-4 in a Channel League softball game.
“Hailey Rios pitched a fantastic game and she was backed by some outstanding defensive play by shortstop Aliyah Huerta-Leipner, and outfielders Lauren Pitchford and Caitlin Tucker,” said San Marcos coach jeff Swann.
The Royals had an opportunitiy to take the lead in the sixth and win the game in the bottom of the ninth. They had runners at second and third in those innings, “but we didn’t come up with that one extra hit needed to win this game,” said Swann.
Rios had two doubles, drove in a run and scored a run. Aliyah Huerta-Leipner and Caitlin Tucker each had doubles and scored runs.
San Marcos is 8-5 overall and 1-3 in league. Ventura is 6-4, 3-1.
