Walnut, Calif. – It was another nailbiter for the Mt. SAC Baseball Team, as they battled through a marathon matchup and came out on top with a 9-8 extra-inning victory over Pasadena City College on Tuesday, March 31. With the win, the Mounties even their record at 15-15 overall and improve to 12-4 in South Coast Conference play, while the Lancers slip to 15-13 and 8-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

From the first pitch to the final swing, this game delivered nonstop action. Runs came early and often, and it took 12 innings to finally settle this back-and-forth showdown.

Mt. SAC struck first in the opening inning when Ryan Castro laced an RBI single to bring home Hudson Karczynski. Pasadena answered right back in the second to tie things up, then edged ahead 2-1 in the third.

The Mounties regained control in the fourth thanks to Frankie Brazil, who delivered a clutch two-RBI single to score Luca Lombardi and Nick Mejia. But the lead didn't last long—Pasadena tied it again in the fifth before Castro came through once more with another RBI knock to make it 4-3.

In a big sixth inning for the Lancers, singles from Joey Ramos and Xiovany Ochoa as well as a double from Diego Gurfein gave Pasadena a 6-4 lead. An inning later, Gurfein came through again with a 2-RBI triple, as the Mounties were suddenly staring down a four-run deficit.

Mt. SAC chipped away in the seventh when Froilan Serna ripped a two-RBI double to cut the deficit to 8-6. The comeback energy kept building—and it all came to a head in the ninth. With runners on, Lombardi and AC Nieto sparked the rally, and a Pasadena error opened the door for two Mountie runs to score, tying the game at 8-8 and sending it into extras.

After a tense few innings, the moment belonged to a familiar name. In the bottom of the 12th, Castro delivered yet again—lining a walk-off single that brought Nieto home and sealed the win in a nearly four-hour game.

On the mound, the Mounties pieced together a strong effort in a bullpen-heavy game. Tomas Bilvado gave a solid start, going 5.2 innings, while Seth Sumner and Cash Carroll added key strikeouts in relief. Juan Verduzco once again shut things down late, tossing three efficient innings and earning the win.

One of the biggest differences? Control. Mt. SAC's pitching staff issued just two walks all game, while Pasadena gave up nine—free passes that proved costly in such a tight contest.

KEY PLAYERS:

• Ryan Castro: 4-for-7, 3 RBI, double, and the walk-off winner
• Froilan Serna: 2-RBI double to spark the comeback, plus a stolen base
• Diego Gurfein (Pasadena): 3-for-6, 3 RBI, double and triple

NEXT UP:

The Mounties stay locked into conference play as they hit the road for game two of the series against Pasadena City College on Thursday, April 2, with first pitch set for 2:00 PM.

STAY CONNECTED:

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.