SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Golden West College softball team opened its 2025 season in commanding fashion, rolling to an 8-1 road victory over San Diego City College on Tuesday afternoon at Betty Hock Field.

The Rustlers (1-0) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Sara Aguilar's RBI single in the first inning plated Abbie Rainwater for the game's first run. Golden West broke the game open in the second, capitalizing on San Diego City's defensive miscues and timely hitting to push across five runs. Rainwater reached on an error that brought in a run, Aguilar drew a bases-loaded walk, and a wild pitch allowed another run to score before Lola Weber delivered the big blow—a two-run triple to left field that extended the lead to 6-0.

Starting pitcher Angelique Perez (1-0) was dominant in the circle, throwing a complete game while allowing just three hits and one run. She struck out three and walked two over seven strong innings. The Knights (1-3) managed their lone run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly from Mykala Mercado, but that was all they could muster against Perez and the Rustlers' steady defense.

Golden West tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh. Isabella Santiago lined an RBI single up the middle, and Rainwater added an RBI groundout to cap the scoring at 8-1.

Rainwater led the offense with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs, while Weber and Aguilar each drove in a pair. Santiago also had a strong outing, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

The Rustlers collected 11 hits in total, while the Knights were held to just three. San Diego City also struggled defensively, committing three errors.

Golden West will look to keep the momentum going when they return to action on Friday, January 31 for their home opener at 2pm against LA Valley.