After riding a wave of victories, the Rio Hondo Softball team saw its 2016 season come to an end after losing to Ventura College in the Southern California Regional playoffs first round, 4-3.

The game was played on May 2 and 15th seeded Ventura hosted the 18th seeded Rio Hondo and by the end of the game, it would be one of the most entertaining and exciting games both teams would play this season.

The Lady Roadrunners finally took the lead in the sixth inning after Brittany Salcido scored on a double off of a solid hit from Julianna Fierro and Mylene Valencia then brought in Fierro with a one-out single to give them a 3-2 lead by the bottom of the sixth inning.

Rio Hondo would have to face a similar situation with Pitcher Brenae Martinez being tested in the bottom of the sixth, with Ventura College’s offense having bases loaded and only one out to go. Martinez managed to strike out the next batter and hold the lead for her team.

While Rio did not score in the seventh inning, it set the stage for Ventura to make the plays that they needed to get a win and advance in the playoffs.

It was back-to-back triples that tied up the game at three apiece and Ventura’s Farris Burke hit a walk-off, to single and bring home her teammate Julia Garcia that ultimately ended up being the deciding factor in the game, and ended Rio’s season.

Rio Hondo ends the season with an overall record of 16-25, winning their last four games to qualify for the playoffs. They also ended their conference with a 10-5  record and a batting average of .287 scoring 202 runs in a total of 40 games this season. It was their second consecutive playoff appearance led by head coach Bianca Urquidi.