Mt. SAC Softball Opens Season With, 8-0, Shutout Over Citrus

Candace Haliburton goes deep for first home run of the season
Candace Haliburton goes deep for first homerun of the season

(Walnut, CA) The 2018 Mt. SAC Softball Season began with a near-perfect start as freshman pitcher Briana Wheeler allowed only one hit, while the Mounties offense connected for two home runs for a 8-0 win over visiting Citrus College.  The friday afternoon game was called in the sixth inning due to the 8-run mercy rule.       

Mt. SAC centerfielder Candace Haliburton and third baseman Vicky Gutierrez each slugged a home run.  Wheeler pitched six shutout innings, striking out eight batters, to start the 2018 season before a large home-opening crowd.

"Our home opener was electrifying," Mt. SAC Softball Head Coach Ruby Rojas replied. "The pitching, offense and defense were all on point. 'Team 18' was hungry for their first win and we are shooting for the next win on Tuesday against Antelope Valley College."

The Mounties wasted little time scoring.  Haliburton (1-3, R, 2 RBIs), with right fielder Alissa Perez (1-3, R) on first after a single, smacked a two-run homer to left field for the 2-0 lead.       

The Mounties added two more runs in the fourth inning, for the 4-0 lead, when Perez scored on a passed ball, followed by a solo round tripper by Gutierrez (1-2, 2 R, RBI).

With the bases loaded, Jayda Reyes walked scoring Gutierrez for the 5-0 lead.

That was followed by two consecutive Mountie runners forced out at home on fielders choice plays.

The game ended on a bases-clearing, three-run error by the right fielder, off the bat of Haliburton which scored Caitlyn Felina, Carissa Felix (1-4, R) and Reyes for the eighth run of the game.

For the contest, Wheeler faced only four batters over the minimum, retiring the last nine of 11 Owls, which included three strikeouts.

Mt. SAC travels to Antelope Valley College on Tuesday, for a non-conference game, before returning home for games on Friday, February 1 against Palomar and Saturday, February 2 against Santiago Canyon.

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