SMCC Softball Finishes Runner-Up at Region I Division II Tournament

The South Mountain Community College (27-13) finished as runner-up in the Region I Division II Tournament at Phoenix College on May 13-15. After winning their first game against Chandler-Gilbert CC on May 13, the Cougars fell to Phoenix College 13-0 (5) before defeating the Coyotes 4-1 on May 14 to advance to the Regional Championship. In the event finale, SMCC fell 13-3 to the host Bears despite a home run from freshman Tara Lorona.

Phoenix College (May 14)

The Cougars fell 13-0 in five innings to the Bears. Christian Smith and Jackie Traughber pitched for SMCC, while Traughber, Tori Van Arsdale and Marissa Grijalva had base hits. 

Chandler-Gilbert CC (May 14)

SMCC rebounded with a 4-1 victory over Chandler-Gilbert CC to advance to the regional championship. 

Jaudrey Ah Quin broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to score Lorona, who started the inning with a double. 

After the Coyotes tied the game with a solo home run, the Cougars responded with three runs in their half of the fifth. Taylor Mount delivered a two-out, RBI double, and Ah Quin added two insurance runs with a two-run double.

Traughber tossed a complete game in the circle to earn the win.

Phoenix College (May 15)

Lorona finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and her fourth home run of the season, while Traughber went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base. Van Arsdale had a pair of stolen bases to finish the year with 20 and scored a run.

Alexa Key scored the team's third run and added a base hit. Tatumn Ellis recorded her third double of the season, and Grijalva, Smith and Mount all had base hits in the loss. 

Smith started the game and took the loss in 2.2 innings of work. Traughber tossed the final 3.1 innings, and both pitchers had two strikeouts.