Softball Advances to Twelfth CCCAA State Championship Tournament; Defeats Canyons in Super Regionals 8-0

Softball Team Celebrating homerun
Team #18 Moving On...

(Walnut, CA) For the twelfth time in the last fifteen years, the Mt. SAC Softball Team has advanced to the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships.

Mt. SAC will host the eight-team championships beginning Thursday May 17. The No. 2 South Seed Mounties (37-7) will face the No. 3 North Seed Ohlone College (34-12) of Fremont on Thursday at 11:00 am.

The Mounties did it with flare as they shut out College of the Canyons 8-0 in six innings in the Super Regionals Saturday afternoon to complete the two-game sweep.

Leading the charge in the circle was freshman pitcher Briana Wheeler with a five-hitter for her 23rd win of the season against five losses.

"It's all about who wants it the most," Mt. SAC coach Ruby Rojas said. "This team is good. We win as a team one through nine and it's very powerful."

"Briana loves being in that heat of the moment and is very competitive and very gritty.  We want to go all the way, no ifs, ands or buts about it, all or nothing."

Shortstop Carissa Felix (2 for 3, R, RBI, Dbl., Tpl.), second baseman Amanda Esquivel (2 for 3, R, Dbl.) and designated player Adriana Ramirez (2 for 3, R, 2 RBIs, Dbl) had two hits each for the Mounties.

"It feels way better than last year," Felix said. "Because I was a freshman last year, it feels better to lead the team and have a greater impact."

"I love the girls and they're like my sisters. It feels good. We have that grit this year."

Mt. SAC had only two base runners in the first two innings, before exploding for four runs in the fourth.

A one-out, solo home run by first baseman Michelle Banales put the Mounties on the board for a 1-0 lead with her sixth round-tripper of the season.

Three batters later, right fielder Vicky Gutierrez (1 for 3, HR, RBI) also connected with her sixth home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field and a 3-0 lead.

The Mounties added another run on a double by Ramirez, scoring Esquivel.

After two Canyons batters reached base in the bottom half of the fourth, Wheeler retired the final seven batters ending with a strikeout sending Mt. SAC to the state championships.

In between, the Mounties added another four runs in the top of sixth inning for the eight-run victory.

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.