Hawks Upset No. 2 West Valley to Advance to the State Tournament

The Cosumnes River College Hawks softball team continued its remarkable postseason run over the weekend, defeating No. 2 seed West Valley College in a dramatic three-game Super Regional series to earn a spot in the 3C2A State Tournament.

After dropping a heartbreaking 4-3 decision in game one on May 8, the Hawks responded with back-to-back victories on May 9 to complete another upset and continue their playoff push.

In the series opener, Cosumnes River battled throughout the contest and carried a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning before West Valley rallied late for the walk-off win.

The Hawks collected six hits in the loss, led by Ashley Garcia, who finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a double. Imani Black added an RBI, while Nina Najafizadeh and Faith Hahn each scored a run.

Cosumnes River took the lead in the fifth inning after Black drew a bases-loaded walk and Garcia followed with another RBI walk to make it 3-2. However, West Valley answered in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run double to steal game one.

Facing elimination on Saturday, the Hawks delivered under pressure in game two behind strong pitching and timely hitting to earn a 3-2 victory and force a winner-take-all matchup.

Kaylena Ogle tossed a complete game, allowing just two runs while striking out six over seven innings.

The Hawks broke through in the fourth inning when Emma Misasi ripped a two-run double to center field, scoring Garcia and Black for the game's first runs. Garcia later added insurance in the sixth inning with a solo home run to extend the lead to 3-0.

West Valley attempted a late comeback in the seventh, scoring two runs, but the Hawks held on defensively to even the series.

With a trip to the state tournament on the line, Cosumnes River delivered its most complete performance of the postseason in game three, defeating West Valley 6-3 on the road.

The Hawks erupted for four runs in the second inning to seize early momentum. Charlize Fasula started the rally with an RBI double before Black lined a two-run single to center field. Garcia followed with an RBI single to cap the inning and put the Hawks ahead 4-0.

Black continued her standout day in the fourth inning, launching a solo home run to extend the lead to 5-0. Misasi later added an RBI double in the seventh to provide additional insurance.

Black led the offense in the decisive victory, finishing 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Fasula added two hits and an RBI, while Garcia and Misasi each drove in a run.

Ogle once again delivered in the circle, throwing her second complete game of the day while allowing three runs on eight hits. The sophomore right-hander totaled 14 innings and 236 pitches across the two victories on Saturday, helping power the Hawks through the Super Regional round.

Throughout the series, Cosumnes River showcased resilience and composure against one of the top teams in Northern California, bouncing back from the game one loss with consecutive elimination-game victories.

With the series win, the Hawks pulled off another major upset, taking down No. 2 West Valley to advance to the 3C2A State Tournament.