Led by sophomore pitcher Jessica Lozano (28-6), the Cerritos College softball team (32-10) overcame a 1-0 series deficit and defeated Bakersfield College twice on Sunday to advance to the Super Regionals.

Lozano pitched both games on Sunday, which happened to be Mother’s Day, so it was only fitting that the mothers of both teams were in attendance and were presented with flowers before the game.

In game two, runs were scarce for both teams in the first three innings.

Only Bakersfield scored by way of an RBI triple hit by Infielder Brianne Brown.

In the fourth, Cerritos’ offense got going after second basemen Alexxa Sanabria hit a two-run home run.

Outfielder Natalie Garcia followed it up with an RBI single two batters later, giving the Falcons a 4-3 lead, which they would hold the rest of the game.

Lozano was credited with the win after she threw seven strike outs and allowed five hits in 7.0 innings.

Bakersfield Julie Estep picked up the loss, giving up nine hits, four runs in 7.0 innings.

The Falcons would carry the momentum from game two with them into game three.

Cerritos was still hot and it showed as outfielder Shawnee Kirk cracked open the first inning with a three-run blast.

After taking the second inning off, the bats came back alive for the Falcons as they exploded for six runs in the third innings, including RBI doubles from Kirk and Sanabria.

After the game, Kirk explained how the loss fueled the team.

“Saturday’s game just built a fire in us and we knew right after the game we were going to come back and win two straight,” she said.

“It’s just who we are and how we play. We’ve got momentum and we are back to the team we’ve been all season.”

First basemen Jacqueline Flores capped off the inning by hitting three-run home run, her seventh of the season.

Cerritos continue to pile on as it scored two more runs by way of a RBI double by designated hitter Gabriela Villarreal and a throwing error by Bakersfield.

Lozano kept her pitching efforts strong as she maintained a no-hitter going into the fifth inning before it was broke up by an RBI single hit by Bakersfield catcher Kara Frankhouser.

The game was called in the bottom of the fifth due to the mercy rule as the Falcons picked up the 11-1 victory and the series win.

Lozano pitched 5.0 innings, allowing two hits and one run.

Bakersfield coach Sandi Taylor says the poor hitting of the Renegades cost them in the final two games of the series.

“Our bats got cold and we couldn’t do anything offensively. You’ve got to give credit to Lozano because she got it done,” she said.

She also reflected on the season.

“We had a great year and I’m really proud of them. We won our conference and 12 out of the last 14 games going into the playoffs. I try to teach them, play with pride and play with heart, and if that is all you have then that is all you have.”

The Falcons will now travel to Mount San Antonio College on Friday to play against the No. 5 seeded Palomar College.

Shortstop Briana Quintana felt the team’s morale gave them a boost.

“We had more confidence than in game one and we just battled to the fullest. We knew what we had to do to get to Super Regionals, so we just played our best.”

Former coach Nancy Kelly, who the softball field is name in honor of, was proud of the team’s valiant efforts.

“They are ladies who give their everything and they won the game. The miracles we’ve had in this program and the feedback we’ve got from our [players] who’ve moved on makes this place a spiritual one.”