Community College State Softball Tournament : Rancho Santiago Gets Chance at Title After Beating Palomar

Freshman leadoff hitter Sandy Martinez went 4 for 5 and scored two runs to lead Rancho Santiago College to a 7-1 victory over Palomar Saturday in the winners’ bracket final of the Community College State Championship softball tournament at Napa College.

The Dons (41-5), attempting to win their second straight state title, will play the winner of the game today at noon between Palomar and the College of the Sequoias in the championship game at 2 p.m.

Martinez was 8 for 9 over two games Saturday, helping Rancho Santiago pitcher Kim Martin record two complete-game wins. The Dons sent 10 batters to the plate and scored four runs in the third inning to take a 5-0 lead. Martin (25-2) has not allowed an earned run in postseason play. She allowed four hits, struck out six and walked one against Palomar.

In a first-round game:

Rancho Santiago 2, Chabot 1--Martinez’ successful suicide squeeze in the top of the seventh inning scored Christy Alvarez and gave the Dons the first-round victory. Martinez scored in the first when she tagged up at third on a short fly ball to right field and jarred the ball from Chabot catcher Joyce Brune. Martin pitched a two-hitter, striking out three and walking one, to get her 24th victory of the season.