SAC softball was riding a three game winning streak while the Bakersfield Knights were coming off a 9-1 win against the Canyons Cougars. This was about to be a tough game for both teams.

Top of the first inning, the Knights came out swinging. Scoring three runs before SAC was able to give the team three strikes.

Once SAC was at bat in the bottom of the first, they did exactly what they needed to do to keep the game close, scored three runs themselves. Sophomore catcher and first baseman Morgan Kneubuhler (9) was responsible for putting three points on the board for SAC as she hit a homer allowing freshman third baseman and shortstop Samantha Orozco (24) and sophomore shortstop Katie Griego (6) to also score.

In the next two innings the Knights found themselves on E with no gas in the scoring tank while SAC would score one run at the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore first baseman and utility player Audrey White (11) would be the one to give SAC the win, but no one knew it yet.

“We’ve been working a bunch on execution at practice and I think it really showed in the game,” that we wanted it more,” Orozco said.

After failing to score in the last two innings, the Knights tried to relight their flame with the little oil that they had left. Scoring two more times at the top of the fourth. But with SAC matching the Knights effort, sophomore second baseman and utility player Kiana Kadena (19) and freshman pitcher and utility player Kayden Connaty (13) were the two girls to even the scoring output done by the Knights in the bottom of the fourth.

Once the top of the fifth started the Knights didn’t have any more answers for SAC. Not scoring again the rest of the game. SAC and the Knights would go blow for blow, run for run, with only one run making the difference and that was the one from White (11).

The final score of the game ended 6-5 in favor of SAC. SAC would also go on to win another close match up the following day against the Antelope Valley Marauders 4-3. With SAC now on a five game win streak, they are heading into the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs May 2 on a high. “We truly are a family,” said Orozco (24). “It’s never a dull moment and it’s a very fun-like culture.”