(Walnut) – By John M. Sherrard – The Mt. SAC softball team suffered its first loss in over a month and first in the last 11 games Tuesday afternoon, 9-7, to host El Camino College.
The game started with an offensive explosion in the first two innings with the Mounties and Warriors scoring six runs each.
El Camino scored three runs in the sixth inning to extend the lead and eventually win the South Coast Conference game.
Mt. SAC (21-3, 10-2), with the loss, still remains in first in conference, a half game in front of Cerritos College. El Camino upped its record to 17-11, 8-5.
Leading the way for Mt. SAC was freshman right fielder Alyssa Rasso (Corona HS) with two hits, including a double and an RBI and a run scored. Sophomore first baseman Aimee Rodriguez (Burroughs HS) added a double and an RBI, while Kayla Sok {Glendora HS) had two stolen bases.
Freshman pitcher Jessica Olvera (John F. Kennedy HS) relieved starter Tiffany Kennedy-Cummings (Chino HS) and suffered her first loss of the season. Olvera's record now stands at 5-1.
Mt. SAC took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on two unearned runs, with Sok scoring after an error by the El Camino pitcher and freshman catcher Taylor Jaurique coming home on a sacrifice fly to left field by freshman designated player, Victoria Ayala (La Serna HS).
El Camino answered with five runs in the bottom half of the inning to lead, 5-1.
The Mounties regained the lead, 6-5, with four runs in the second, highlighted by back-to-back RBI doubles by Rasso (2 for 4) and Rodriguez.
However, El Camino answered with a solo run in the bottom of the second for the 6-6 tie.
Defensively, freshman third baseman Andrea Contreras (Chatsworth HS) made a great play in the 5th inning and caught an El Camino runner, Samantha Teeder in a run down, throwing to Olvera covering at home for the tag.
Mt. SAC tried to rally in its final at bat, scoring an unearned run by pinch runner Aleyah Wilbon (Summit HS), but couldn't get any closer.