By John M. Sherrard
(Walnut, CA) After defeating opponents by wide margins over the last four games, the Mounties turned to timely hitting and pitching to come away with a win to keep the record-setting start to the season intact.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore catcher Taylor Jaurique (2 for 3, dbl., RBI) hit a scoring fly ball to bring in sophomore third baseman Kristen Williams from third for the 3-2 walk-off win over Pasadena City College Thursday evening in a South Coast Conference North game.
The 19th consecutive win, which is tied with Cypress College to begin the season, is the best start in recent memory for the Mounties.
Trailing, 2-1, in the sixth inning, sophomore second baseman Mandy Larios squeezed in pinch runner Sasha Allen from third to tie the game at 2-2 and an inning later before a big crowd, Mt. SAC pulled out the victory.
Three Mountie batters collected two hits apiece – sophomore left fielder Aleyah Wilbon (2-4), sophomore center fielder Bree Maikai (2-3, dbl., SB, run) and Jaurique.
In the circle, pitcher Racqual Espinoza (7-0) gave up two early runs in the third inning, but settled down and retired 12 of the next 13 batters, allowing only one hit. The sophomore gave up only two hits total and struck out eight batters for the complete-game victory.
The undefeated Mounties will travel to Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria for a non-conference doubleheader this Saturday against Southwestern College and host Allan Hancock.
Looming in a week is a double header showdown at top-ranked Cypress College on Saturday March 25.
Follow Mt. SAC Softball on twitter @mtsac_softball
Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics
For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.