(Bakersfield, CA) After a very successful season in which the Mt. SAC Softball team finished No. 1 in the CCCAA State rankings and winning 43 games, it came to an end on Day 3 of the State Championships with a double header loss to San Mateo and Sierra colleges on Saturday (May 21) at Bakersfield College.
With numerous accolades for the South Coast Conference Champions, No. 1 North Seed San Mateo sent Mt. SAC into an elimination game after an early afternoon, 4-1 loss.
In the second game, in which the winner moved on to face San Mateo and the loser was eliminated, the Mounties (43-6) lost for the first time in back-to-back games this season – a 4-2 setback to North No. 3 Seed Sierra College (38-10) ended the Mountie season
"Team 22 had a tremendous season." Mt. SAC coach Ruby Rojas said. "We just didn't win (Saturday). It's part of the game. Losing sucks, but (Saturday's) loss doesn't define our season."
The Mounties had one of the longest winning streaks in years with 22 games, won their 13th conference title and advanced to their 14th state championship tournament in the last 18 years.
In addition, Mt. SAC had the Player of the Year, Brianna Goris, and possibly the best 1-2 pitching combination in the state with sophomores Grace Pieson (25-5) and Serena Navarrete (13-1) leading the charge.
Goris led most of the season with the top batting average in the state and finished second in home runs with 15 and ended up second with a .532 average. She also had 67 hits, which was the fifth most in the state, and 23 doubles (2nd in state).
Pieson, who was named to the All-State team, had the sixth most wins in the state with 25
The All-Southern California team named sophomore shortstop Ariana Coronado (.316 Avg., 43 H, 29 RBIs).
Assistant coach Jim Bollier, who was assisted by former Mounties Erika Ecklund and Vicky Gutierrez, subbed for head coach Ruby Rojas while she was on maternity leave for most of the season, can be commended for great leadership for Team 22.
Game No. 1
San Mateo 4, Mt. SAC 1
Mt. SAC pitching allowed only three hits in the game, but two of them accounted for all four runs.
The first pitch of the game for San Mateo resulted in a solo home run and a 3-run home run were the only runs of the game for the Bulldogs.
Mt. SAC's lone run came in the third inning with two outs.
Second baseman Asia Chacon led off the inning with a walk and was doubled in by designated player Desiree Bravo to trail, 4-1.
Goris (1-1, 2 BB) walked, but the rally ended when Bravo was forced at third after a ground out by catcher Annemarie Gutierrez.
Starting pitcher Grace Pieson (25-5) suffered the loss.
Game No. 2
Sierra 4, Mt. SAC 2
With only two hits against the Wolverines, the Mounties only had a couple of real scoring opportunities.
Sierra had only one big inning, but it proved to be the difference, as three runs came across in the fifth, which was highlighted by a two-run single, for the 3-0 lead.
A fourth run came in on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
The Mounties scored in the sixth inning, with pinch hitter Arely Coronado reaching on an error, moving over to second on a walk to second baseman Asia Chacon and came home when Goris reached on an error by the Sierra right fielder.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, pinch hitter Alyssa Gonzalez hit her fourth home run of the season to trail 4-2.
Starter Navarrete suffered her first defeat of the season, as she went four and a third innings and allowed three runs on five hits.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.