WALNUT-For the second game in a row, the Mounties (2-0) received a fine pitching performance as freshman left hander Michael Starns (San Dimas HS) pitched six strong innings, allowing three runs on three hits and struck out five batters en route to a 6-4 victory over visiting Mt. San Jacinto (0-3) Friday afternoon at Mazmanian Field.

Starns (1-0) retired the first eight batters of the game before a hit batter in the third inning. Starns was relieved by freshman right hander Daniel Perez (Don Lugo HS), sophomore Jonathan Chapman (San Dimas HS) and freshman Esteban Ortega (Los Altos HS), who picked up the first save of the season for the Mounties.

Sophomore designated hitter Johnny Juarez (Glendora HS) collected a game-high three hits (3 singles, run) for the Mounties. Sophomore first baseman Dylan Lowenstein (Chino Hills HS) and freshman shortstop Travis Santiago (Charter Oak HS) both drove in two runs for Mt. SAC.

Kevin Romo (St. Paul HS) opened up the scoring in the second inning after reaching on an infield hit and came home on a San Jacinto error.

Santiago gave the Mounties a 2-0 lead after reaching on a walk, stole second, moved over to third on a wild pitch and came home on a sacrifice fly to left field by Ortega.

Lowenstein doubled in two runs in the fifth inning to give Mt. SAC a 4-0 lead.

Mt. San Jacinto closed to within one run, 4-3, after scoring a run in the sixth and two in the seventh.

With the tying run on first and one out, Chapman came in to relieve Perez and recorded the final two outs, including a strikeout.

Santiago singled in two runs in the eighth inning, scoring freshman right fielder Nate Alam (El Dorado HS) and sophomore center fielder Dustin Frailey (Alta Loma HS), to give the Mounties a 6-3 lead.

Mt. San Jacinto added a run in the ninth inning before Ortega retied the final two batters with two runners on to secure the save.