SMCC Softball Finishes 3-3 During Spring Break

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College softball team (9-8, 5-7 ACCAC) went 3-3 over its slate of six games during spring break. The Cougars swept an ACCAC doubleheader at Scottsdale CC on Mar. 9 before falling in both ends of a twinbill at Phoenix College on Mar. 12. Finally, SMCC wrapped up its spring break by splitting an ACCAC home doubleheader against Yavapai College.  

Scottsdale CC Recap 

The Cougars defeated the Fighting Artichokes 9-3 and 2-1 in an ACCAC doubleheader at SCC on Saturday, Mar. 9. 

In game one, the Cougars struck for four runs in the first inning on a pair of home runs. Sophomore Iliana Munoz blasted a three-run shot and freshman Taylor Christensen went back-to-back with a solo shot. 

The Cougars added to their lead in the sixth with RBI singles from Munoz and freshman Nadia Rascon. In the seventh, SMCC tacked on a pair of runs courtesy of an RBI single from freshman Dionna Leanio and an RBI double from sophomore Mia Franco. 

Munoz went 3 for 4 with five RBIs, a walk, a run scored, and the home run, while Leanio was a perfect 4 for 4 with four runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base. 

Christensen added a pair of walks to her solo home run, and Rascon was 2 for 3 with the RBI. Franco scored twice and doubled, and freshman Azlynn Madrid doubled and scored. 

Sophomore Anglelica Tello (1-3) recorded her first win of the season with a complete-game performance. She fanned four and worked around six hits, two earned runs, and two walks. 

In game two, Christensen (2-2) delivered a 12-strikeout performance as the Cougars swept the twinbill. She allowed one hit over seven frames, a solo home run in the second, and walked two. 

Trailing 1-0, the Cougars scratched across two runs in the fourth to secure the win. The Cougars loaded the bases with nobody out and got a sacrifice fly from Rascon and an RBI single from Brianna Risley to pull ahead for good. 

Six different Cougars had a hit in the win with Franco and Munoz scoring runs, and Christensen added a double to her pitching performance.

Phoenix College Recap

The Cougars suffered two tough losses to the Bears in an ACCAC doubleheader on Mar. 12, falling 12-11 (8 innings) and 7-6. 

In game one, the Cougars led 11-1 after the top of the fourth. However, the Bears rallied for two in the fourth, one in the fifth, and seven in the sixth to tie the game. They then walked off with an RBI single in the eighth to win the back-and-forth affair. 

Rascon went 3 for 4 with a run and an RBI, while freshman Sabrina Erran was 2 for 3 with a home run, a double, a sac fly, four RBIs, and a run scored. Franco added a double and scored twice, Christensen went 2 for 4 with three runs, and Leanio had two hits and a run scored. 

Madrid posted a double and two stolen bases, Munoz had a pair of RBIs and a run scored, and sophomore Vanessa Philpot had a hit, two walks, and a run. 

Tello (1-4) took the loss and pitched seven innings. She allowed 11 hits, five earned runs, two walks, and two strikeouts. Sophomore Adenira Marquez also saw time in the circle.  

In game two, SMCC led 4-1 after three innings before PC tied the game in the fourth. The Cougars went back ahead 6-4 with two runs in the sixth, but the Bears responded with three in their half of the frame to sweep the doubleheader. 

Munoz went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, Rascon hit the first home run of her SMCC career, and she finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Freshman Michelle Balcazar also had two hits, and Erran was 2 for 4 with two runs and a stolen base. 

Christensen (2-3) took the loss after six innings of work. She allowed eight hits, three earned runs, and one walk, along with seven strikeouts.  

Yavapai College Recap

SMCC split an ACCAC home twinbill on Saturday, Mar. 16, against the Yavapai College Roughriders. The Cougars fell 8-3 in the first game before posting a 15-11 win in game two, which gave SMCC its first win against a Division I opponent. 

In game one, the Cougars led 2-1 after the first inning but the Roughriders scored two in the second and five in the third to take a commanding 8-2 lead. SMCC scored a run in the third, but that would be its final run. 

Franco and Christensen had two hits apiece in the loss with Franco scoring a run and Christensen roping a double. Rascon had an RBI and Leanio and Munoz scored. 

Sophomore Mykenzie Flores (3-1) took the loss in the circle after 2.2 innings of work. She allowed eight hits, two earned runs, and one walk to go with one strkeout. Marquez tossed 4.1 innings of relief, allowing five hits and two walks with two K's. 

The Cougars exploded for 15 runs and 17 hits in the second game. Sophomore Mekaila Smith was a perfect 4 for 4 with three runs, three RBis, a stolen base, and her first home run of the season. 

Leanio was 3 for 5 with three runs and a stolen base, and Munoz, Christensen, and Erran all had two hits in the victory. Munoz scored a three runs and added an RBI, Christensen scored three times, drove in two, and walked once, and Erran scored once. 

Christensen and Franco had doubles and Christensen added a sac fly. Freshman Elise Saucedo had three RBIs, a run, and a stolen base. Freshman Marissa Quihuis had two RBis and walked twice, and Madrid also had a pair of RBIs.  

Marquez (3-0) earned the win with 3.0 innings of relief. She scattered six hits, three earned runs, and three walks to improve to 3-0 on the year. Tello started the game and went 4.0 innings with seven hits, four earned runs, two walks, and one strikeout.