Almaraz sparks Vaqueros to third straight win, 7-1

Brandi Almaraz went 3-4 with four RBIs on Friday, leading SBCC to a 7-1 softball win at Santa Monica.

It was the Vaqueros' second win over the Corsairs in four days. Santa Barbara won its third straight game to improve to 15-16 overall and 7-6 in the WSC North. Santa Monica is 7-21 and 1-10.

Isabella Gregson (9-5) threw a five-hitter and didn't allow a run until the sixth inning. Almaraz, a freshman shortstop from San Bernardino, had a two-run single in the first and Kayla Sanchez made it 3-0 in the fourth by driving in Jasmine Manson with a single.

The Vaqueros rapped out 10 hits and stole five bases. Emily Bland went 2-4 and Janet Salas stole two bases. SBCC added three runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Salas and Almaraz and a sacrifice fly from Gregson.

The Vaqueros will host Fullerton in a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. The Hornets are 21-15 and have won their last eight games.