(Dodge City, KS) -- The Dodge City Community College Softball team got out of the gates slowly on Saturday, losing the first game 10-1 before bouncing back and scoring three crucial runs late in the second game to split the doubleheader against Independence Community College.
 
In game one the Conquistadors started quickly by scoring a run in the first inning. It seemed promising but then Jennifer Dunagan was able to silence the DC3 bats by not allowing them to score another run the remainder of the contest, throwing all 7 innings. Unfortunately for the Conqs, their pitching was not able to match the Pirates', as Jessica Espinoza and Allie Hufford combined to allow six earned runs, and ten total runs. 
 
Sophie Herrera went 2-3 for the Conqs, with their only RBI of the day. Samantha Montano was the only other Conquistador to have a multi-hit game, also going 2-3.
 
The Conquistadors seem to have knocked the rust off in game one, playing a much better game two. Independence was again able to come up with an early lead scoring a run in each of the first two innings. Going into the home half of the second, DC3 was already facing a 2-0 deficit. Fortunately, the bats came alive that inning. There was a runner on base for Alex Pacheco, she drove the ball into the left-center field gap for an RBI double. Two walks later and the bases were loaded for Jessica Espinoza. She unloaded and drove the ball all the way to the fence, just short of going over for a grand slam, but it would settle in front for a two-run double. After that, both teams' bats would remain quiet until Independence Community College would tie the game up in the fifth inning at 3-3. That is where the score would stay until the Conquistadors came up clutch in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the game in the balance, Lexy Perez hit a solid base knock to knock in two runs and give DC3 a 5-3 lead. Espinoza would proceed to hit a sacrifice fly to knock in an insurance run. Samantha Montano would proceed to close out the Pirates and give the Conquistadors the 6-3 victory.
 
 
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Sports Information Director Josh Van Valkenburg-Gernert at 620-227-9414.
 
Photo ID: Action shot of Haley Bass is attached.