MARATHON OPENER

By Brandon Petersen

Westcliff went the distance Wednesday night.

And then some.

The Warriors pushed Florida National into extra innings before falling 3-2 in 11 innings in the opening round of the Continental Athletic Conference Tournament at the Grizzly Softball Complex.

In a tournament defined by endurance, Westcliff showed it has plenty.

Behind a complete-game effort from Madison Mendez, the Warriors carried a lead deep into the game and matched Florida National pitch for pitch before the Lions broke through with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 11th.

Mendez was outstanding in the circle, working 10.2 innings and allowing just three runs on 11 hits while throwing 136 pitches. The right-hander kept Florida National off balance throughout, limiting damage and giving Westcliff every opportunity to secure the win.

Westcliff struck first in the opening inning, manufacturing a run on a sacrifice fly from Jasmyn Lara to take an early 1-0 lead. The Warriors added to it in the fourth, when Sara Ellerton delivered an RBI double to push the advantage to 2-0.

Florida National responded in the middle innings, cutting the deficit in the fourth before tying the game in the fifth.

From there, the game settled into a battle.

Both teams traded scoreless innings through the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth, with neither side able to break through as pitching and defense took control.

Westcliff managed six hits on the night, with Ellerton leading the way with two, while Alyssa Patlan and Alyssa Lopez each added a hit. Despite limited offense, the Warriors continued to find ways to apply pressure, keeping the game within reach into extras.

In the end, Florida National found the final breakthrough, but not before Westcliff proved it could compete deep into tournament play.

With the loss, the Warriors move into the elimination bracket but remain alive in the double-elimination tournament.

Westcliff returns to action Thursday morning at 9 a.m. against Carolina University.