(Walnut, CA) Sixteen and counting is the latest number for the hottest team in the state, as the Mt. SAC Softball team defeated visiting Long Beach City College, 3-1 on Friday (April 22) in a South Coast Conference game.
With their 16th consecutive win, the Mounties improved to 33-3 overall and 17-2 in the conference.
Mt. SAC, which remains No. 1 in the CCCAA State rankings, was led by sophomore pitcher Grace Pieson, who won her 21st game of the season against three losses.
Pieson went five innings, allowed one run, five hits and struck out two Mesa batters.
"Ya, I felt good out there (Friday)," Pieson said. "And, no matter what the situation, Serena (Navarrete) and I, or our other two pitchers, Gillian (Molina) or Lauren (Avalos) complement each other and are always ready."
Navarrete earned her second save of the season, finishing up the last two innings, allowing a hit and struck out one.
Leading 1-0 in the second inning, Mt. SAC second baseman Ashley Diaz (1 for 3, R, Dbl.) led off with a double to centerfield. She was sacrificed to third by catcher Mireya Amezcua (1 for 2) and came home with the second run on a run-scoring single to right-center by left fielder Mikenna Barcelona (1 for 3, RBI).
"I was really proud of myself," said Diaz of her at-bat with the double. "The last few games I've been popping up and (Friday) I was able to square one up. We've been working on that in practice. No matter how many outs, you're going hard no matter what.
"Right now, everyone is after us. At practice, we're put in an uncomfortable situation and when it comes to game time, we're prepared for that."
For the third straight inning, the leadoff batter scored for the Mounties, with third baseman Brianna Goris (1 for 1, R, 2 BB) scoring on a throwing error by the Mesa shortstop for the 3-0 lead.
"We're just focusing on what we can control," Mt. SAC assistant coach Erika Eklund said.
"I think Bri's (Goris) approach (Friday) was especially highlighting that. She did walk twice, but in her third at-bat, she got one strike and took advantage of that. It says a lot about who she is as a player."
Goris, who is walking away with the state batting title average and home run title, was unintentionally, intentionally walked in her first two at-bats, but singled in her third at-bat after she went up to get the pitch.
Mt. SAC will host San Diego Mesa (13-15-1) on Saturday (April 23) in a non-conference doubleheader.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.