Mounties suffer first loss of the season; Split DH between Palomar, RCC

Photo Courtesy of DavesSportsImage
Photo Courtesy of DavesSportsImage

(Walnut, CA) After starting the season with 11 consecutive wins, the Mt. SAC Softball team suffered its first loss, with a 4-2 setback to Palomar. The Mounties rebounded with a 5-1 win in the second game of the doubleheader. Both games were non-conference contests held Saturday (Feb. 26) at Mt. SAC.

Leading the Mounties in the two games going a perfect 4-4 batting was left fielder Arely Coronado. Also with four hits in the twin bill was Alyssa Castaneda (4-5). Coronado (3 Rs) had a double and Castaneda (1 R) had a home run and two RBIs.

"We had a mentality that this school (Palomar) was our rival and we had the mindset to get on them, but it went past our head and we didn't perform as we should have," Arely Coronado said.

"I think this is a good heads up on what we're going to face in the playoffs. It's a good eye-opener to know what to expect.

"I've been waiting for this (hitting) because I've been struggling a little bit and practicing and practicing and started slapping the ball and ended up going three for three with a double.

"I think it was great having a crowd (Saturday)."

In front of a big crowd, Mt. SAC (12-1) faced Palomar, which also had 11 wins under its belt against two losses.

The Comets scored solo runs in the first and third innings for a 2-0 lead and added two more in the fifth to put Mt. SAC in a 4-0 hole.

The Mounties cut the lead in half, 4-2, with RBIs by second baseman Asia Chacon (3-4, RBI, SB) and Brianna Goris. The Mounties tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh but left runners on second and third to end the threat.

Grace Pieson suffered her first setback of the season with the loss to Palomar after winning her first eight games.

Game two saw the Mounties jump on Riverside City College with three runs in the home half of the first inning.

Goris doubled in Arely Coronado and Castaneda hit a two-run home run.

The Mounties added solo runs in the fourth and sixth innings to lead, 5-0. With two hits in the game were Goris (2-4, R, RBI, Dbl.), shortstop Isabela Garule (2-2, 2 RBIs) and right fielder Haley Moran (2-3).

Pieson (9-1) came back with four strong innings, scattering three hits, no runs and striking out five batters against RCC.

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