Walnut, Calif. – The Mt. SAC Softball Team continued to power through season, defeating Riverside City College 12–3 on Saturday, March 14 in a run-rule victory to collect their 20th win of the year. The Mounties improve to 20–2 overall and remain undefeated in South Coast Conference play at 11–0, while Riverside falls to 6–16 overall and 1–5 in the Orange Empire Conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The excitement started before the game got underway. Mt. SAC President and CEO Dr. Garcia was in attendance and delivered the ceremonial first pitch, setting the tone for a great afternoon at the ballpark.

The Tigers got on the board first when Alysha Kendrick flied out to center field, sending Aerin Anselmini home for the first run of the game.

But as a surprise to nobody, Amanda Porterfield answered back in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer that put the Mounties in front 2-1.

The power surge continued in the second inning as Sophia Sanchez crushed a two-run homer of her own, extending the lead to 4–1.

Riverside chipped away in the fourth when Giselle Flores scored on a Mounties error, trimming the deficit to 4–2.

Mt. SAC responded with some aggressive baserunning in the bottom half of the inning with an exciting double steal from double Sophias – Sophia Sanchez swiped second while Sophia Avina stole home to score. Moments later, Sarai Raygoza delivered a sacrifice fly that brought Sanchez home and pushed the lead to 6–2.

The Tigers kept battling, adding another run in the fifth when Abigail Baldwin singled to left field to score Madyson Aguilara, making it 6–3.

But the Mounties closed out the day with their most lucrative inning of the game, adding six runs in the bottom of the fifth to secure the run-rule victory.

Desieree Morales started the rally with a double to right field that drove in Avina and Hailey Montoya. Morales later scored when Isabella Aspeitia drew a bases-loaded walk.

Then came the exclamation point: Raygoza blasted a three-run home run to seal the statement win for the Mounties.

Vanessa Hawks got the start, picking up her sixth win of the season. She pitched four solid innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four batters.

KEY PLAYERS:

• Sarai Raygoza: 2-for-3, 4 RBI, run, double, home run, sacrifice fly
• Sophia Sanchez: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, 3 runs, home run, stolen base

NEXT UP:

The Mounties hit the road Tuesday, March 17, for a major South Coast Conference matchup against El Camino, who currently sits in second place in the conference standings at 18-4 overall and 10-1 in SCC play.

STAY CONNECTED:

Follow Mt. SAC Softball on Twitter @mtsac_softball or Instagram /mt.sacsoftball/

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on Twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

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