Knights Sweep Home-Opening Doubleheader

The Knights won both games of a home-opening doubleheader over Los Angeles Valley, 9-4 and 12-7, with pitcher Rylee Leon striking out six batters in 10 total innings and earning a win in the first game and a save in the second.

City's bats got off to a strong start after scoring seven runs in the first three innings that helped build a 7-1 lead. Nicole Fonti, who scored in the first inning, hit an RBI-triple in the second inning and crossed home plate on the same play after a throwing error. 

Ahead 4-1, the Knights then produced another three runs in the third inning off two errors and an RBI single by Ailyn Zermano. City then added one run in each of the 4th and 5th innings to go up 9-2.

Los Angeles Valley tried to rally in the 6th but was limited to two runs and Leon retired the side in the 7th to end the game. 

In the second game, the Knights' offense generated seven runs in the first two innings to take a quick 7-1 lead. 

They scored five of those runs in the second inning on an RBI single by Nikki Rocha, a 2-RBI double by Dakota Chazaro, a bases-loaded walk by Leon, and an RBI single from Savannah Ganzler.

The Knights were ahead 8-3 going into the 5th inning, but L.A. Valley got within one after scoring four runs in that 5th. 

City, however, responded with a run in the bottom of the 5th and three more runs in the 6th to put the game out of reach. 

Samantha Ramirez hit two singles and two RBI in both of those innings. 

Fonti, who pitched the first four innings of the second game, earned the win and Leon closed the final three innings to get the save. 

City will play a doubleheader at Mt. San Jacinto on Feb. 7 and will be back home on Feb. 12 against Chaffey.