By John M. Sherrard
(Bakersfield, CA) Playing in their ninth California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) title game in the last fifteen years, the Mt. SAC Softball team fell to Cypress College, 1-0, Sunday in the championship game at Bakersfield College.
Mountie sophomore pitcher Tiffany Kennedy-Cummings (18-3) struck out 11 Cypress batters and allowed only two hits, but the Chargers pushed across a lone run in the bottom of the seventh on an infield out as they became the first team in CCCAA history to finish the season undefeated at 48-0.
Mt. SAC (42-5), attempting to win its fifth state title, concluded its season with another 40-plus wins for the second year in a row. They were 40-7 last season.
The Mounties, were not without their opportunities to score during the game, as they had three runners stranded at third and one thrown out at home early in the game.
For their efforts, though, in the state tournament, five players were named to the All-Tournament team.
Kennedy-Cummings and sophomore Racqual Espinoza were tabbed as All-Tournament pitchers, while sophomore Toni Mendoza (first base), sophomore Taylor Jaurique (catcher) and sophomore Kayla Sok completed the Mt. SAC players named to the three-day, four team tournament team.
Kennedy-Cummings retired 19 of the 26 batters she faced, including seven consecutive early in the game.
Mt. SAC closest scoring opportunity came in the second inning when Mendoza led off with a walk. She was sacrificed to second by sophomore second baseman Mandy Larios and attempted to score after sophomore right fielder Alyssa Rasso hit a grounder to second, which was bobbled, but Mendoza was tagged out at the plate.
Mt. SAC sophomore Bree Maikai, Espinoza and freshman third baseman Carissa Felix each had the three Mounties hits in the game.
Maikai and Espinoza, along with sophomore left fielder Aleyah Wilbon all reached third base for the Mounties in the game.
Congratulations to Coach Ruby Rojas and the Mounties on an amazing season!
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.