(Walnut) – By John M. Sherrard – For the second game in two days the Mt. SAC softball team exploded for double figures in hitting and runs to defeat L.A. Harbor Thursday afternoon, 11-3, in a South Coast Conference game.

The Mounties (23-3, 12-2), who amassed 15 hits, included five players with two hits each. They also went wild on the base paths with seven thefts, with freshman centerfielder Liz Birnie (Valley View HS, Moreno Valley) stealing two bases.

Not to be outdone was freshman pitcher Jessica Olvera (John F. Kennedy HS) in the circle with her second win in the last two days, allowing only two hits in six innings.

Those with two hits each were: freshman right fielder Alyssa Rasso (Corona HS), 2 for 3, run, 2 RBIs; sophomore Anise Avalos (Claremont HS), 2 for 3; Birnie, 2 for 4, 2 runs; sophomore third baseman Priscilla Leon (Upland HS), 2 for 2, run, RBI; and sophomore left fielder Danielle Jeffress (Kaiser HS).

Mt. SAC still holds a slim one-game lead over Cerritos (11-3) in conference with seven games remaining.

The Mounties scored in the first five innings, to lead 10-0 before L.A. Harbor (9-18, 4-10) could get in the scoring column with three in the fifth.

Taylor Jaurique (Wilson HS) and Rasso started things out in the first by scoring for the 2-0 lead. In the second inning Birnie scored after a fielders choice and Leon was singled in by Jaurique for the 4-0 advantage.

Mt. SAC added single runs in the third and fourth innings and four more in the fifth.

Mt. SAC takes a break from conference action this Saturday with a double header at Santiago Canyon College in Orange.

The Mounties will play No. 3 Santiago Canyon (24-4) at 11:00 am, followed by a 1pm game against second-ranked Palomar College (22-2).

Their next home game is Tuesday against Long Beach City College at 3pm.