(Walnut, CA) In the shortened season, the Mt. SAC Softball team concluded its home schedule with a 1-0 victory on only one hit over visiting Fullerton Wednesday (May 19) evening.
Both pitchers combined for only four hits total, but Mountie centerfielder Emily Barba hit a sacrifice fly, scoring sophomore right fielder Mikenna Barcelona for the lone run of the game.
"It was a very exciting game and I struggled in my first two at-bats," Barba said. "Once I got up in the batter's box (third at-bat) I just thought I need to get this runner in.
Fullerton pitcher Jessica Lopez allowed just one hit and struck out 11 and Mt. SAC sophomore pitcher Annalisa Panuco scattered three hits and got the win.
"Both pitchers pitched very well," Mt. SAC coach Alex Mascarenas said. "The big thing, as far as our side, is how much we've grown since game one.
"It wasn't our best day defensively, but we made the defensive plays when we needed to. We only had one hit, but we found a way to win. That's all that matters. We found a way to finish and that's something that we've learned to do in the short season."
The miscues that Mascarenas was referring to came in the top of the sixth inning that led to Fullerton having runners on second and third with only one out.
Panuco was able to get two fly ball outs to end the threat.
"It wasn't only on them," (the errors) Panuco said. "I had a few myself. I still trust them and have confidence in them 100%. I was pitching a pretty good game and I was just thinking to keep pumping strikes.
"Being a sophomore I think I made the most out of it this year and I'm just really blessed and happy that we even got to play (13) games so far this year."
In the fifth inning, Fullerton thought they scored the first run of the game on a run-scoring sacrifice fly ball to center field.
The runner at third left early and was called out to end the inning.
In the run-scoring sixth inning for the Mounties, Barcelona led off with a double to left center and was sacrificed to third by second baseman Ryan Brizo.
"The second pitch I adjusted my hands and I hit it into the gap," Barcelona said. "It felt good because we've been wanting to play this team for a long time and wanted to win."
The Mounties last played the Hornets in a scrimmage game at the beginning of the season.
After Barcelona was sacrificed to third, Barba sent her home on the sacrifice fly to center for the 1-0 lead.
Mt. SAC sophomore catcher, Brooke De La O, perhaps summoned up the season best.
"It's been a blessing, honestly," said De Le O, of her two years at Mt. SAC. "I learned a lot about myself and I created some of the best relationships with my teammates that I'll take on for the rest of my life.
"Covid definitely made it closer and we had to get closer faster and I saw a lot of younger girls stepping up and I thought that was awesome."
De La O will continue her education at Cal Poly Pomona to finish her degree.
Mt. SAC will conclude the season on the road with a doubleheader against rival Cypress. The games are at noon and 2:00 pm
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.