(Walnut, CA) Winners of their last 12 consecutive games, the Mt. SAC Softball Team swept visiting Antelope Valley College Saturday (4/20), 2-1, 8-0 in a non-conference game.
In the process, the Mounties also snapped a 20-game winning streak by AVC (30-9). Mt. SAC improves to 34-4 overall with its 15th win in its last 16 games.
The 34 victories rank the Mounties second in the state, behind only San Mateo with 36.
"It was a great doubleheader win," Mt. SAC Softball coach Ruby Rojas said. "The girls fought and battled. Obviously the first game (2-1 win) was a lot closer. Garrett (AVC pitcher Briana Garrett) is a good pitcher and when you face pitchers like that, you're going to have a lower amount of hits."
The first game saw both pitchers (Garrett and Mt. SAC's Briana Wheeler) go toe-to-toe for seven innings, with only seven total combined hits and 21 strikeouts.
Wheeler, who won her 20th game, gave up three hits and struck out 11 batters, while Garrett allowed four hits and fanned 10.
In the second game, freshman pitcher Alexia Silvas (10-2) went five innings, giving up only a pair of hits while striking out six. Zoe Brewer came in to pitch the sixth and final inning for the Mounties as they would score in the bottom half of the inning on a single by Erika Eklund scoring Candace Haliburton.
The big bat for the Mounties in the doubleheader was sophomore third baseman Ciara Granado (2 for 5, 2 R) with two home runs and four RBIs.
"Ciara (Granado) has been clutch these past couple of weekends," Rojas said.
Mt. SAC only had two hits in the first five innings in the first game, before the two-run home run by Granado in the sixth. Granado knocked in first baseman Vicky Gutierrez, who had doubled to center.
"Hitting is just contagious and once one person breaks the window, we all just follow," Gutierrez said. "Ya, it was a good hitting day for us."
Granado also had the big blow in the second game with a three-run blast to left field, scoring right fielder Jessika Trujillo and Gutierrez ahead of her for the 5-0 lead.
"I knew we were on her (Garrett) and knew something was going to get through," Granado said. "I think the ball (home run pitch) was low and inside.
"These games are preparing us for the tough teams in the playoffs."
In the two games, second baseman Gabby Estrada had a single and her first triple of the season. Scoring on the three-bagger by Estrada was shortstop Quinn De Avila (1 for 2, R), who singled. Estrada then scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Silvas for the 7-0 lead.
"It feels good," said Estrada, who legged out the triple to center. "AVC is definitely a tough team and we just kept on them and the second game it really showed." Estrada also made a sparkling defensive play at second in the sixth inning.
"I definitely get excited fielding behind our pitchers."
The Mounties banged out 10 hits for their 21st game with 10 or more this season. As a team, the Mounties have hit 28 home runs, good for fourth-best in the state.
Mt. SAC will play its final two regular season games, beginning Tuesday (4/23) at Chaffey and Wednesday (4/24) will host East Los Angeles College on sophomore day.
Playoffs will get underway for Mt. SAC Friday (5/3).
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.