Mt. SAC softball won round 2 of the SoCal Regionals with an absolute triumph, with a score of 7-0 against Southwestern on Saturday, May 2 in only seven innings.
For the first three innings, neither team was able to break through either team’s sharp defense. It wouldn’t be until the top of the fourth inning where freshman infielder Marti Ann Leach (10) would hit a double to center field who was then swapped for sophomore outfielder Natalie Valiente (17) to finish the job. Once freshman utility player Kayla Mendoza (3) singled, she was able to bring home Valiente (17), marking the first run for Mt. SAC.
The bottom of the fourth is where SAC’s defense shined through as they demonstrated a quick inning and took out Southwestern in just four plays.
The top of the fifth inning started off hot with sophomore shortstop, Sarai Raygoza (14) hitting a homer on just the second play. SAC was able to keep this momentum, with freshman utility player Brooklyn Game (1) scoring for freshman infielder Angelina Martinez (15) as her pinch runner.
“I stepped in the box just having the mentally to swing hard and I saw my pitch and I took it.” Raygoza (14) said.
The top of the seventh inning is where we would see the last of the final runs from SAC. Freshman infielder Emily Sandoval (22) singled to third base and sophomore outfielder Amanda Porterfield (5) singled to right field. Both players would score after Leach (10) hit a double.
The inning would finish its final score with sophomore utility player Sophia Sanchez (22) hitting a single to center field, allowing freshman utility player Mya Arias (2) to advance to second and Leach (10) scoring. This would finish the game for SAC as a total of seven runs.
Overall, Mt. SAC has seven runs, 14 hits and zero errors. Southwestern would achieve zero runs, four hits and one error.
“We are just ecstatic of being able to move onto our next goal and the players did phenomenal.” Head Coach Ruby Rojas said. “ Everybody was an extension of one another which is one of the things that we highly preach.”
Mt. SAC will advance onto Super Regionals against Long Beach City on May 8-9, with both games at home.
