(Walnut) – By John M. Sherrard –The Mountie softball team split a doubleheader, both one-run games, Saturday afternoon, defeating Palomar College, 2-1, and fell to host Santiago Canyon College, 3-2, in nonconference games.
Mt. SAC ran its record to 24-4 overall with the split.
In the morning game against Santiago Canyon College of Orange, the Mounties quickly took a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
Freshman second baseman Kayla Sok (Glendora HS) singled, stole second and was doubled home by freshman right fielder Alyssa Rasso (Corona HS) for the 1-0 lead.
Two batters later sophomore shortstop Anise Avalos (Claremont HS) singled to center, driving home Rasso (1 for 4, run, RBI) for the 2-0 lead.
Mt. SAC freshman pitcher Tiffany Kennedy-Cummings (Chino HS) didn't allow a run to the Hawks through four innings.
However, Santiago Canyon (25-5), which is ranked third in Southern California CCCFCA March 17 poll, broke through with three runs in the fifth inning, and sent her to only her second loss of the season. Kennedy Cummings (5 hits, 3 strikeouts) has ten wins on the season.
Highlighting the inning for Santiago Canyon was a two-run double by first baseman Brittney Howe for the go-ahead runs over the Mounties.
The Mounties had nine hits, nearly double that of Santiago Canyon (5 hits). Leading the way for Mt. SAC was a team-high 3 for 3 by sophomore left fielder Danielle Jeffress (Kaiser HS).
Sok (1 for 3, run, walk) and Avalos (1 for 3, RBI, walk) each had a stolen base in the game.
In the afternoon game, Mt. SAC defeated CCCFCA second ranked Palomar College, 2-1.
The Mounties, for the second game on the day scored twice early (second inning) on back-to-back doubles by sophomore third baseman Priscilla Leon (Upland HS), scoring freshman center fielder Liz Birnie (Valley View HS) and sophomore left fielder Danielle Jeffress (Kaiser HS), scoring Leon.
Jeffress had a perfect day at the plate going 5 for 5 and Sok and Leon each stole a base in the game.
Palomar, which won the CCCAA state title last season, scored its lone run in the fourth inning
Freshman pitcher Jessica Olvera (John F. Kennedy HS) won her eighth game of the season against only one loss and freshman Tiffany Kennedy-Cummings (Chino HS) picked up the save.