Huntington Beach, CA - Golden West softball (11-6, 5-4 OEC) fell to the San Diego Knights (11-20, 1-7 PCAC), 4-8. 

After the series against the Cypress Chargers was interrupted from a rainout, the Rustlers turned their focus to a non-conference game which was a postponed game from February. The San Diego Knights visited Golden West College for a Monday afternoon matchup. The Knights came out strong offensively in the first inning as they scored twice off of two hits and a Rustler error, 0-2.

Golden West quickly responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to tie the affair. A first and third situation brought opportunity for the Rustlers as a Knights throwing decision allowed Candice DeMayo to cross home, 1-2. With the deficit now cut in half, a throwing error from San Diego gave way for Shelby Jacobsz to score from second base, 2-2. On a Sofia Herrera fielder's choice, the Rustlers took their first lead of the afternoon, 3-2. 

To save extra bases, Jacobsz made an incredible catch near the center field warning track for the first out of the third inning. San Diego threatened in the fourth and tied the game from an RBI single up the middle, 3-3. The Knights regained the edge with a sacrifice fly out to right field, 3-4. From a dropped infield fly rule out, Herrera sprinted home and beat the throw at the plate to tie the game back at four apiece, 4-4. In the sixth, the Knights exploded for four runs off of five hits to take a substantial lead and close out the victory as the Rustlers fell, 4-8. 

Herrera had the lone RBI for Golden West as she went 1-4 with a run scored. DeMayo went 1-2 with a run scored as Shelby Jacobsz also scored with her 1-3 day. From her walk, Orla Keys was able to score a run for the day. Golden West sits at fourth in the Orange Empire Conference with a 5-6 conference record. The Rustlers will resume conference play at Saddleback. 

UP NEXT: The Rustlers will resume conference competition at Saddleback on Tuesday, April 9th. First pitch will be at 2pm.