Torrance, Calif. – In a battle between two of the state's top teams, the Mt. SAC Softball Team made a statement. It was their second matchup of the season, and the  No. 4-ranked Mounties proved they belong at the top of the South Coast Conference when they defeated the No. 8-ranked Warriors 8-4 on Tuesday, March 17.

Mt. SAC improves to 21–2 overall and remains undefeated in South Coast Conference play. The Warriors drop to 18–5 overall (10–2 SCC)—with both conference losses coming at the hands of Mt. SAC.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Mt. SAC jumped to a quick 5-0 lead in a dominant second inning. A bunt from Desiree Morales drove in Sophia Avina for the first run of the game. Shortly after, Marti Ann Leach scored on an El Camino error, and the Mounties kept the pressure on.

A single from Angelina Martinez—paired with another Warrior mistake—brought in Isabella Aspeitia, and a clutch double to left-center plated Martinez and Sarai Raygoza to wrap up a big inning.

But the Warriors battled back. Mt. SAC pitcher Vanessa Hawks got into trouble, walking in a run followed by giving up a two-run single. A pitching change brought Zoe Herford to the circle to help the Mounties get out of that inning, but the Warriors had already cut the deficit to 5-3.

The Mounties answered right back. Morales delivered again in the third with an RBI single to score Avina, and in the fourth, Emily Sandoval crushed an RBI triple to extend the lead to 7–3.

Mt. SAC added one more insurance run when Raygoza singled to right field to bring in Aspeitia, pushing the lead to 8–3.

El Camino tacked on one final run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Mounties' strong start was too much to overcome.

KEY PLAYERS:

• Emily Sandoval: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, double, triple, 2 double plays
• Desiree Morales: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, double play
• Zoe Herford: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (W)

NEXT UP:

The Mounties return home for another conference matchup on Thursday, March 19, at 2:00 PM against Cerritos College (14-7, 8-2).  

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.