(Costa Mesa, CA) Top-seed and host Orange Coast (34-8-1) handed eighth-seed Mt. SAC (26-19) a 10-7 loss in the first game of a best-of-three series of the California Community College Athletic Association Southern California Sectional on Friday.
The Mounties started the game's scoring with a pair of runs in the first inning, only to see the Pirates respond with five runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. A three-run Mt. SAC fourth tied the game at five until Orange Coast recaptured the lead, 7-5, with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
The Pirates added two runs in the bottom of the eighth to increase their lead to 10-5. A two-run rally by the Mounties in the top of the ninth came up short, giving the Pirates the win, 10-7.
Top offensive performances for the Mounties included Alex Gonzalez (2-for-3, RBI, R, 2B), Kyle Koontz (2-for-4, R, 3B), Tyus Santa Anna (2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, 2B), Michael Sandoval (1-for-4,RBI, R, 2B), Albert Luevano (2-for-5, 2 RBI), Dylan Zavala (1-for-4, R), and Derek Zavala (1-for-5, RBI, R, SB).
Pablo Valenzuela (0-1) got the loss for Mt. SAC, throwing 3.2 innings in relief of starter Noah Woodall (1.1 IP, 5 ER).
Game 2 of the series will take place on Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m. at Orange Coast. If necessary, a third and decisive game will happen on Sunday, May 19, at 12 p.m.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.