(Walnut, CA) For the 17th time in the last 18 competitive seasons, the Mt. SAC Softball team has advanced to the second round of the CCCAA Southern California Regional with a two-game sweep of Moorpark College in the best of a three-game series.
The Mounties, with their 22nd consecutive victory (3rd longest in the state), won the clinching game by the score of 3-1 on Saturday (May 7) and will move on to round 2, with a state berth on the line.
The No. 1 seeded Mounties will host No. 8 Bakersfield College (34-6) on Friday, May 13. Game one of the best of three series is set for 7:00 p.m.
The winner of the series will advance to the CCCAA State Championships beginning Thursday, May 19.
"We are all proud of this team for always fighting, and never giving up," said head coach Ruby Rojas. "This is what makes the playoffs so much fun.
"Our journey continues, and we are ready for super regional.
"I'm very proud of Haley (Moran) for hitting her first home run. We (coaches) tell them, it will always be someone different every game. Different people will be stepping up."
After a game-one, 3-2 victory over Moorpark on Friday (May 6), the Mounties eliminated Moorpark (30-11) on Saturday with a second straight close game from the Raiders.
Leading the way for Mt. SAC with her first home run of the season and the 33rd for the Mounties, was Moran (1 for 2, 2 RBI, R).
After left fielder Emily Barba (1 for 3, R, SB) opened the second inning with a double to right, two batters later Haley Moran connected with the home run and a 2-0 lead.
"It was amazing," said Moran, of her home run. "I was trying to swing hard because lately, I've been a little timid. At first, I thought it was a deep fly ball. When I rounded second, I just jumped. It was an unbelievable feeling and we just hung on to those runs all the way through.
"It was really important for us to win (Friday and Saturday). I feel really good right now. It was probably one of the best highlights of my career here so far. This program is absolutely amazing – the coaches, the girls, the facilities. Everybody here is on just another level."
Moorpark cut the lead in half, 2-1, in the third with a run that was the result of an Mt. SAC throwing error.
Grace Pieson started the game and went four innings not allowing a hit and picked up her 23rd win of the season. She was relieved by Serena Navarrete (2 H, 0 R) in the fifth and she finished up the last three innings and struck out three batters. It was also her fourth save of the season.
Mt. SAC added an insurance run in the fourth inning after designated player, Desiree Bravo (2 SBs) walked to open the inning, stole second, went to third on an infield grounder by Barba, and came home with the third run on a wild pitch.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
