By John M. Sherrard
(Bakersfield, CA) With the 9-2 win over the College of San Mateo in the elimination game Saturday night at Bakersfield College in the CCCAA State Championships, the Mt. SAC softball has advanced to its ninth title game in the last 15 years.
Mt. SAC (42-4) lost earlier in the day to undefeated Cypress College (47-0), 6-4, to fall into the elimination game. The top two seeds from the south region will face each other again with a state championship on the line on Sunday at noon.
Against San Mateo the Mounties were led by CCCAA All-State Player, Taylor Jaurique (2 for 2, 2 runs, HR, RBI) who had two hits, including a home run to start the game in the first inning for the 1-0 lead. Also with two hits was freshman third baseman Carissa Felix (2-2, 2 runs, SB).
In the circle claiming her 18th win of the season was CCCAA All-State Player Tiffany Kennedy-Cummings. The 2016 CCCAA Pitcher of the Year had a game-high eight strikeouts and walked two batters in six innings.
The other half of the sophomore pitching duo, Racqual Espinoza, finished up the last inning to send the Mounties into the title game.
"It's a collective effort and it takes (all) 21 girls to win," said Mt. SAC Head Coach Ruby Rojas of the win over San Mateo.
"As for Tiffany (Kennedy-Cummings) and Racqual (Espinoza), the same dynamic duo did a great job from bouncing back from the Cypress game. They definitely complement each other.
"That's part of the game and that's why there's three pieces to the puzzle, offense, defense and strong pitching."
After taking the 1-0 lead, the Mounties added three more runs in the third inning to lead, 4-0, on an inside-the-park home run by the speedy Bree Maikai, scoring Aleyah Wilbon (triple in the inning) and Mandy Larios (FC) ahead of her.
San Mateo cut the lead in half, 4-2, with two runs in the fourth inning, but that would be the closest the Bulldogs would get.
Another three-spot would be added on the board for the Mounties in the bottom half of the inning, aided by a huge throwing error by the San Mateo third baseman.
Jaurique hit a single to left field, but Kayla Sok (1-3, 2 runs) and Felix would come in on the error as would Jaurique for the insurmountable, 7-2 lead. The Mounties would add two more runs in the sixth.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.