Softball Sweeps Sac City, 8-1, 5-3 in Non-Conference DH

Mt. SAC first baseman Vicky Gutierrez - Photo Courtesy of DavesSportsImage
Mt. SAC first baseman Vicky Gutierrez - Photo Courtesy of DavesSportsImage

(Walnut, CA) A long day of softball for Mt. SAC and Sacramento City College ended late in the night Saturday (4/13), with the Mounties sweeping a non-conference doubleheader, 8-1 and 5-3 over the visitors from the capitol city.

Sac City, making the long trek from Northern California even longer with mechanical problems on their bus, arrived two hours after the scheduled start and the second game finished up at 11:30 pm.

"It's been a long day and I can't even imagine what the girls feel like," Mt. SAC Softball coach Ruby Rojas said. "It doesn't matter, we got the wins and pushed through. It was good to see a team from up North with good pitching and good for us to be battle-tested."

The first game was led by a season-high 15 strikeouts and complete-game, 8-1 victory in the circle by Mountie pitcher Briana Wheeler. Wheeler scattered four hits and one earned run to improve to 18-1 on the season.

Mountie third baseman Ciara Granado was the hitting star in the two games, going 4 for 6, with six RBIs and two home runs.

Highlighting the scoring in the 8-1 win were two unearned runs in the first inning, followed by two, three-run innings in the third and fifth.

The big blow was a three-run homer to left field by Granado, scoring Gutierrez (1 for 3, 2 runs) and center fielder Ally Longtree (1 for 2, 3 runs, 2 SBs) for the 5-0 lead.

The second game featured a late-inning, come-from-behind, 5-3 win as the Mounties scored three times in the sixth to take the lead for good.

In the second game with the Mounties trailing, 3-2 in the sixth and two outs, Granado started things off with a solo home run to left field, followed by a double to right center by designated player Adriana Ramirez (2 for 3).

Caitlyn Felina pinch ran for Ramirez and came home on a single to center by catcher Quinn De Avila (1 for 3, R, RBI) for the 4-3 lead.

The Mounties scored an insurance run on a pinch-hit single to right by Ashley Rivera, scoring De Avila for the 5-3 lead.

Mountie pitcher Zoe Brewer, who relieved starter Alexia Silvas in the fifth inning, finished off the Panthers in the seventh, aided by a double play. Brewer picked up the win in relief to improve to 4-1.

Mt. SAC first baseman Vicky Gutierrez reflected on the marathon day.

"I haven't experienced a day like this before, but I just stayed calm and hydrated and it was a good day with the two wins."

As for the comeback, Gutierrez added, "it's just staying composed and not falling under pressure and now that playoffs are coming, we are prepared."

With the doubleheader win, No. 2 state-ranked Mt. SAC improves to 30-4 overall.

Mt. SAC continues SCC action Tuesday (4/16) with a game at Rio Hondo and return home Thursday (4/18) hosting Pasadena City College.

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