The West Hills College Coalinga softball team is finally in the win column thanks to a 9-4 defeat of Hartnell College in the opening game of a non-conference home doubleheader on Monday. Unfortunately, the Falcons couldn't get its first winning streak going and suffered an 11-3 loss in Game 2.

Sophomore Alyssa Cota continued her impressive start for West Hills as she totaled 4 RBI in the opening-game win. Cota went 3 for 4 with a double. Her 10 RBI are tops for the Falcons this season while her .435 batting average is tied for the team lead.

Nia Armbrister also had a huge game, going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and a double. She scored 4 runs and also drew a walk. Chloe McDaniel (2 for 4, 2 runs) had a pair of hits and Nancy DeJesus (1 for 3) also drove in a run.

The Falcons' offense gave starting pitcher Madison Redding all the support she would need early. West Hills scored twice in the bottom of the first, three more in the second, and another run in the third to stake Redding to a 6-1 lead. Redding went the distance for the win, allowing 4 runs (2 earned) and 9 hits over 7 innings. She struck out six but also walked six.

Game 2 saw the Falcons get off to a good start, scoring a run in the first to take an early 1-0 lead. But Hartnell rallied for 8 runs in the second to put the game out of reach.

 West Hills totaled 8 hits but also committed 8 errors that led to 7 unearned runs for Redding. She went 5 innings, allowing 4 earned runs and 8 hits.

Bianca Nodal went 2 for 3 with a double and RBI to lead the Falcons at the plate.

West Hills, now 1-7 overall, returns to action on Saturday (Feb. 22) when the Falcons travel to Monterey Peninsula College for a non-conference doubleheader. Game 1 is set for noon with the second game to follow at 2 p.m.