Mendoza, Rubalcava lead Mt. SAC Softball team to 5-1 victory over College of the Canyons

Janis Espinoza slid into home plate to score one of the 5 runs in the game. (Photo Courtesy of DavesSportsImage)
Janis Espinoza slid into home plate to score one of the 5 runs in the game. (Photo Courtesy of DavesSportsImage)

(Walnut, CA) The hitting of sophomore centerfielder Mia Mendoza and the pitching of freshman Alyssa Rubalcava led the Mt. SAC Softball team to a 5-1 non-conference win over visiting College of the Canyons on Tuesday (January 31).

With the win, the Mounties improved to 3-1.

Mendoza was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate, while Rubalcava limited the Cougars to three hits while striking out six.

"It feels great," said Mendoza, who had a two-run RBI single and an RBI double. "This was my first home game here at this home field and I just felt really energized and everyone was hyping me up the whole game, so that was really what drove me (Tuesday).

"It doesn't matter how it (the game) starts with the other team, we always manage to finish up on top."

Mendoza was referring to the first-inning lead when COC (1-1) scored a run for the 1-0 lead.

Rubalcava scattered two hits and allowed only one other base runner the rest of the way and had a run-scoring single.

Seven other Mounties hit safely, including doubles by catcher Celeste Cortez and first baseman Olivia Ortiz (RBI). Freshman third baseman Janis Espinoza was 1 for 2 and scored two runs.

Mendoza gave the Mounties a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first, followed by a run-scoring double by Ortiz in the second to lead, 3-1, followed by two runs in the fifth.

In the fifth, Mendoza doubled home Espinoza, followed by a single which scored Mendoza.

"It's always great to start off and get a home win," Mt. SAC Softball coach Ruby Rojas said.

Rojas commented on the pitching performance of Rubalcava, who is a freshman. "As a freshman, she did a phenomenal job and came out here and hit her spots and Celeste (Cortez) called an amazing game."

Mt. SAC continues non-conference action with a home game on Friday (Feb. 3) against Antelope Valley College.

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