IRVINE, Calif. – Dominican softball run ruled Central Washington 9-1 in five innings Saturday morning at the Great Park.

Marina Medina went 3-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI for the Penguins (2-1). Taylor Rodriguez allowed one earned run and struck out four in the circle to earn the win while also going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored from the plate. Mia Flores led the Wildcats (0-3) at the plate going 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Jessica Reitz-Eaton drew a walk to lead off the game for CWU and Karsyn Decker singled on a bunt to put a pair of runners on with no outs. Taylor Eby scooped up a sharply hit ball down the third base line and stepped on her bag before throwing to first for the double play. Flores was able to salvage some momentum for the Wildcats as a single up the middle brought home Decker, but Rodriguez got the next batter swinging to end the frame.

The Penguins got off to a hot start as Melissa Garcia continued her hitting streak by leading off the game with a single down the right-field line. Tiare Guerrero battled through many pitches before beating out a throw to first on a soft groundball to second to put a pair on the base paths. Marina Medina then doubled to center field to bring home Garcia and tie the game 1-1 and put a pair of runners in scoring position with no outs. Rodriguez then caught the defense sleeping as she laid down a bunt to bring home Guerrero and reach first safely with Medina on third. A double steal brought home Medina with the runner moving to third as the throw home was late. Morgan Saucedo ended the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 4-1 Penguins heading to the second. 

CWU put a pair of runners in scoring position in the second with one out after Brooke Blocker doubled to left, but Rodriguez got Ashtyn Falor swinging and Guerrero tracked down a fly ball on the next batter to leave both stranded. In the bottom of the third, Medina singled to center and Rodriguez reached on a fielding error with one out to spark the offense. The Wildcats secured a flyout as they sought to get out fo the jam, but Saucedo tripled to bring in both runners and extend the Penguins lead to 6-1 heading to the fourth.

Rodriguez retired the side in each of the next two innings setting up the Penguins with an opportunity to end the game early in the bottom of the fifth. Medina complete her perfect hitting day as she singled to left to lead off the inning and Rodriguez poked a ball into right center to put a pair on with no outs. CWU struck out the next two batters, but Eby doubled to left to bring home a run and Leslie Ruiz doubled on the next at bat for the walk-off, run-rule victory.

Dominican will be back in action later Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. to take on Cal State San Bernardino on Field 2 of the Great Park.