Natalie Garcia’s game winning RBI walk helped push the Cerritos College softball team to a 3-2 South Coast Conference victory over Mt. San Antonio College on Tuesday at Nancy Kelly field.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 7th inning, freshman right fielder Garcia’s patience at the plate was awarded with a four pitch walk to hand the Falcons the victory.

“I was really nervous” Garcia said, “It feels good to win because this was a big game in the conference.

The stage for Garcia’s game winning opportunity was set with a lead off walk to sophomore second baseman Lindsey Marquez and a pair of one out singles from freshman Rochell Romero and sophomore third baseman Brandi Rummel.

The Falcons improved their record to 19-3 on the season and a South Coast Conference record of 6-0 after their victory over the defending state champion Mounties.

Freshman centerfielder Samantha Garcia reached first base on all four of her at-bats. Three of which were singles and one coming off an error from the Mounties 2^nd baseman.

“It was intense” said Garcia, whose single in the 4^th inning tied the game at one apiece. “I think we should have won by a lot more.”

Cerritos had the bases loaded in four of the seven innings played (1^st, 2^nd, 5^th, and 7^th), but were only able to cash in two runs in those innings while leaving a total of 14 runners on base in the game.

Natalie Garcia not only had the game winning RBI, but also hit the go ahead RBI single with the bases loaded in the 5^th inning by sliding at first base to beat out a routine ground ball.

“It’s really our first close game that we’ve finished and won” said Kodee Murray, head coach of the softball team.

The Falcons defensive play was once again errorless throughout the game behind the pitching of sophomore Hillary Perez-Ashley.

She pitched a complete game striking out five batters while giving up seven hits to the Mounties, one of which was a homerun, to improve her record to 15-0.

Sophomore leftfielder Devin Salmones didn’t want the past to repeat itself as the defending state champs were able to escape Nancy Kelly field with a victory last season.

“It’s always a competition between us” said Salmones, who made a diving catch down the left field line in the 6^th inning. “I was just doing my part.”

The Falcons will next be visiting Los Angeles Harbor, which Cerritos won 11-2 in their first meeting at Nancy Kelly Field, on Thursday at 3 p.m.