(Walnut, CA) A combined three-hitter by pitchers Serena Navarrete and Grace Pieson led the Mt. SAC Softball team to a 4-0 non-conference win over visiting Santa Ana, 4-0, on Saturday (March 12).
With the win, the No. 1 state-ranked Mounties improved to 16-2 overall.
A key two-out double by left fielder Arely Coronado (1-3, R, RBI) in the fifth inning, driving in centerfielder Mikenna Barcelona (1-2, R, SB), ignited the two-run inning.
"(The game) was really exciting and we were all up seeing who would score first," Arely Coronado said. "It's really good that we were able to face (Santa Ana), so we know what to expect in the playoffs."
Coronado came home with the second run as she slid wide to avoid the tag at the plate, after a single by second baseman Asia Chacon (2-3, RBI).
Both starting pitchers for Santa Ana (Emily Rosas) and Mt. SAC (Serena Navarrete) started the game retiring all nine batters through the first three innings.
Rosas struck out seven of the nine Mounties in the process, while Navarrete fanned five.
Mt. SAC's Grace Pieson relieved Navarrete (2 hits allowed) in the fifth inning and finished the game for her 11th win of the season. Pieson struck out seven batters in two and two-thirds innings and allowed one hit.
In the bottom of the sixth, third baseman Olivia Ortiz (1-1, RBI) singled in shortstop Ariana Coronado (2-3, R) and designated player Ashley Diaz hit a sacrifice fly to left field sending pinch-runner Desiree Bravo home for the fourth run.
"We needed to dig down and find out what we were really made of and (Saturday) was it," Mt. SAC assistant coach Jim Bollier said. "It took our pitchers, Serena (Navarrete), who started, and Grace (Pieson), who came in to close it out and some key hits."
Mt. SAC continues South Coast Conference action on Tuesday (March 15) at LA Harbor. The game time is 3:00 pm.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.