(Walnut, CA) With a doubleheader sweep of visiting L.A. Harbor, the Mt. SAC Softball team won its seventh consecutive South Coast Conference Championship Monday afternoon (April 24). The Mounties finished with a 23-1 conference record.
The Mounties opened the twin bill with a 10-0, five-inning win, followed by a 5-2 decision in the nightcap
The doubleheader sweep was the 17th consecutive win for the Mounties. The 2022 regular season also saw the Mounties end with a long winning streak of 20 games prior to last years' playoffs.
No. 3 state-ranked Mt. SAC will have one regular season remaining with a non-conference game against L.A. Mission on "Sophomore Day" on Wednesday, April 26th.
The two wins saw the Mounties improve to 34-5 overall, which is the second most in the state.
Game 1
Mt. SAC 10, L.A. Harbor 0 (5 innings)
The Mounties opened the doubleheader with a dominating win as freshman Janis Espinoza (2 for 3, R) led with four RBIs. Three players had two hits for the Mounties – Espinoza, Desiree Bravo (2 for 3, R, 2 RBIs) and Kassandra Martinez (2 for 3, R, 2 RBIs).
Mt. SAC sophomore pitcher Aleyna Urbina picked up her 16th win against only two losses on the season, as she went the first three innings without a hit and four strikeouts.
The Mounties scored five runs in the first and third innings in the shortened game.
Highlighting the first inning was a two-run single by Bravo, scoring designated player Brianna Goris and right fielder Mia Mendoza.
The five-run third was highlighted by a bases-clearing single by Espinoza, scoring shortstop Katelyn Olson, second baseman Asia Chacon, and Martinez.
Game 2
Mt. SAC 5, L.A. Harbor 2
In the nightcap, freshman pitcher Mirannda Rodriguez won her 13th game of the season with no losses, going six innings and allowing two runs and striking out six.
The Mounties, leading 1-0 in the third, scored three runs for the 4-0 lead.
The inning was highlighted by a two-run home run by Olson, scoring Chacon and a Mt. SAC season-first, inside-the-park home run by Espinoza.
"This is an amazing feeling," Olson said. "After being red-shirted last year and coming back and winning conference, it's amazing to have your team behind you and you have your teams back.
"That was perfect timing for that (home run). Just knowing that after I hit that home run having my team there for me and screaming, it was a great feeling."
With two hits each were Ashley Diaz (2 for 3, R, RBI, SB, Dbl.) and Bravo (2 for 3, SB).
"Honestly, going back to Diggy (Olson), she has probably been one of my biggest supporters on the team coming in," Espinoza said. "I looked up to her and she has had my back.
"I've never done that (inside-the-park HR) myself. It's a new experience and I just remember rounding second and (coach Ruby) Rojas sending me and I said, 'all right, I guess I'll go.' That was an amazing feeling."
