(Walnut, CA) In a pair of non-conference games, host Mt. San Antonio College (8-5) split the doubleheader by defeating Santiago Canyon College, 6-1, in the opener then losing to Palomar College, 7-4, in the second game on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Mt. SAC 6 Santiago Canyon 1

Home runs by Janis Espinoza (2-3, 2 R, RBI) and Mercedes Alba (1-3, R, 2 RBI) helped lift the Mounties to victory over the Hawks (4-8). Gabrielle Flores (2-4, 2 RBI) also played well at the plate. On the basepaths, Katie Griego stole a pair of bases as teammate Sofia Femath stole one.

Dallas Garcia (4.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 SO) picked up the win to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Palomar 7 Mt. SAC 4

Leading 2-1 through four innings, Palomar (10-1) exploded for five runs in the top of the fifth to take a 7-1 lead that the Mounties were unable to overcome.

Espinoza (3-4, 2 R, 2B, SB), Alyssa Rubalcava (3-4, 2 RBI, 2B), Amanda Esquivel (1-3, 2B), and Alba (1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR) led Mt. SAC's offense in the losing effort.

Starter Aleyna Urbina (2-5) got the loss for the Mounties, throwing 6.1 innings, allowing five runs (all earned) on nine hits, while striking out four.

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Having dropped four out of their last six, the Mounties will look to turn the tide in their South Coast Conference opener at Cerritos College (7-3) on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m.