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City College softball falls in home opener despite reliever’s ‘phenomenal’ effort

Phipps pitched 4 ⅔ scoreless innings
City College sophomore infielder Karah Barajas connects with a pitch during the Knights' 8-1 loss against Golden West at Betty Hock Field, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Photo by Danny Straus/City Times Media
City College sophomore infielder Karah Barajas connects with a pitch during the Knights’ 8-1 loss against Golden West at Betty Hock Field, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Photo by Danny Straus/City Times Media

City College head coach AJ Hull entered Tuesday’s home opener against Golden West College with a strategy.

But his plan was quickly changed early in the second inning.

Six quick Rustler runs had Hull calling in reliever Hadley Phipps, a right-handed sophomore with two previous appearances this season.

“They kind of pushed us into a position where we had to make a change,” Hull said.

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Despite 4 ⅔ scoreless innings from the pitcher’s circle by Phipps, City lost, 8-1, to Golden West at Betty Hock Field on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Phipps was a bright spot for the Knights, providing stability and longevity. She pitched 5 ⅔ innings while allowing only two runs. 

Sophomore pitcher Hadley Phipps winds up to pitch in City’s 8-1 loss against West Valley at Betty Hock Field, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Photo by Danny Straus/City Times Media

Hull expressed his appreciation for Phipps’ performance after the game.

“I thought (Phipps) did phenomenal,” Hull said. “She came in, did what she was expected to do, and held them down, (locked) them down.”

The Rustlers got to the Knights’ starting pitcher Lexi Lopez early, who exited after allowing six runs in 1 ⅓ innings.

City’s offense was stifled by Rustler’s starting pitcher Angelique Perez, who pitched a complete game and held the Knights to just three hits and one run. 

The Knights’ one run came in the seventh and final inning on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Mykala Mercado, who played second and third base for the Knights. 

“We’d like to come out the gates nice and hot, you know,” Hull said. “However, that doesn’t always happen. So, we just got to learn from the game, and then apply it for the next one.”

City (2-4) was able to do that with a 7-5 victory at Riverside City College on Wednesday, Jan. 29. 

City College freshman Madison Stephenson extends to catch a fly ball in City’s 8-1 loss against Golden West at Betty Hock Field, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Photo by Danny Straus/City Times Media

Against Golden West a day earlier, the Rustlers were led offensively by catcher Lola Weber, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and leadoff hitter Abbie Rainwater, who added two hits, two runs, and two RBIs. 

The Knights’ defense plagued City throughout the game. It committed three errors, including two by second baseman Irina Lainez.

City will play its next seven games on the road before returning home to Betty Hock Field on Saturday, Feb. 15 for a doubleheader against Oxnard College starting at noon.

It will begin a stretch of six games in a row at home for the Knights.

Correction: The story below has been changed to reflect the correct spelling of Coach AJ Hull’s last name in all references. City Times regrets the error.

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