Begley Strikes Out 10 in 7-6 Win Over IVC

In the first game of a doubleheader, the Knights scored the winning run in the eighth inning to edge out Imperial Valley, 7-6, in the final PCAC home game with Jill Begley striking out a career-high 10 batters. It was the third straight win over IVC this season as the Knights completed a season sweep. The Knights then fell to College of the Canyons, 7-4, in a non-conference matchup.

Lead-off hitter Anahy Carbajal got things started for the Knights in the first inning against IVC with a single to center field. She stole both second and third bases, and then came home on a wild pitch to give City a 1-0 lead.

Lenny Padilla led-off the bottom of the second inning with a triple and then scored the Knights' second run on a sacrifice fly by Stephanie Zepeda.

City took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth on another sacrifice fly by Zepeda, but Imperial Valley responded with five runs in the fifth inning to take the lead, 5-3.

The Knights trailed 6-4 going into the bottom of the sixth inning, but they rallied back with two runs to tie the game. Ariana Hencke and Zepeda each got on with singles and then Hencke scored from second base on an error by IVC's first baseman. Isabella Macias came up next and hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Zepeda as the Knights evened the game at 6-6.

Imperial Valley had runners on the corners with two out in the top of the eighth, but Begley got the next batter to ground out and end the threat.

Then, in the bottom of the eighth after a double by Padilla, Zepeda grounded out and IVC's first baseman attempted to throw out Padilla at third base, but it was off target and the error allowed Padilla to cross home plate for the winning run.

It was Begley's fourth complete game of the season and the first time she had more than eight strikeouts.

The Knights will wrap up the season with a game at Palomar on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and another road game at Mesa on Wednesday, also at 3 p.m.