(Walnut, CA) The second no-hitter of the season for the Mt. SAC Softball Team highlighted the weekend games versus Southwestern and Alan Hancock colleges Sunday afternoon.
With her first no-no's of her college career, freshman Briana Wheeler led the Mounties with a gem in the circle as the Mounties defeated Alan Hancock 5-0 in the second game of twin bill.
"(Wheeler) owned it and we had our catcher (Adriana Ramirez) call the game and it was just a great flow," Mt. SAC coach Ruby Rojas said.
As for the sweep, "It just prepares us for the playoffs," Rojas added. "It was a great day and everything just synched in and the girls that came in to play did their jobs."
In the opening game, the Mounties bats exploded for 15 hits en route to a 10-6 win over Southwestern College.
Both games were nonconference contests.
With the sweep Mt. SAC improves to 24-5 overall and Wheeler upped her record to 12-3 on the season.
"We came out with a lot of energy and our sticks were on fire, especially in that first game," Wheeler said.
"We continued that into the second game."
"I kind of knew I had a no-hitter until the last inning that I had a chance."
With a scoreless game in the fourth inning against Alan Hancock, the Mounties broke through with three runs, the first two coming after a two-run double up the middle by third baseman Vicky Gutierrez for the 2-0 lead.
Two batters later right fielder Alissa Perez knocked in the third run with a single to right field scoring Gutierrez.
The Mounties added a solo run in the fifth inning with a single by left fielder Candace Haliburton (2 for 3, R, SB, RBI), scoring first baseman Ciara Granado (2 for 3, Dbl., R), who opened the inning with a two-bagger.
The fifth run came on a double to center field an inning later by leadoff hitter Cariss Felix, scoring second baseman Nikki Soto. Soto had two stolen bases in the inning.
In the opening game against Southwestern and the score tied 6-6, Mt. SAC scored four runs for the 10-6 led.
Granado and first baseman Michelle Banales (3 for 3, 2 RBIs, R, Sac Fly) each had run-scoring singles for the 8-6 lead. Followed by a two-run double to right field by designated player Michelle Santiago, scoring Granado and Banales.
Also with two hits in the game was Felix (2 for 3, 2R, Dbl., Sac Fly) and center fielder Caitlyn Felina (2 for 4, 2 R, SB).
The Mounties travel to Long Beach City College and East Los Angeles for games on Tuesday and Thursday, April 10, 12 respectively, before coming back home for a big double header against Cypress on Saturday April 14.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.