Cougar Softball Falls in Slugfest with Eastern Arizona

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College softball team (12-10, 7-9 ACCAC) lost 21-10 and 15-13 to Eastern Arizona in an ACCAC doubleheader on Tuesday, Mar. 26, at the SMCC Softball Field. Sophomore Mia Franco finished 3 for 4 with two doubles and four RBIs in game one, and freshman Nadia Rascon went 3 for 4 with three home runs and six RBIs in game two. 

Game One Recap

The teams exchanged runs early and often, and the score was tied at 8-8 after three complete innings. However, the Gila Monsters broke the tie with two in the fifth, added three in the sixth, and put the game away for good with eight runs in the seventh. 

Franco had a two-out, two-run double in the third and an RBI double in the second to set a new career high in RBIs.

Sophomore Mekaila Smith, freshman Taylor Christensen, and Rascon had two hits in the loss. Christensen roped her fifth double of the year and added a run and an RBI, while Smith had a two-out, two-run single in the first.

Freshmen Sabrina Erran and Michelle Balcazar had singles and RBIs, and sophomore Iliana Munoz scored twice and added an RBI. 

Christensen (2-4) took the loss with 5.0 innings of work in the circle. She allowed 13 hits, 11 runs (nine earned), and walked three to go with seven strikeouts. Sophomore Mykenzie Flores tossed the final two innings for SMCC, allowing 11 hits, 10 runs (two earned), and one walk. 

Game Two Recap

Down to their last strike with two outs, the Gila Monsters produced a three-run double in the top of the seventh to pull ahead for good and post the 15-13 victory. 

SMCC hit six home runs in the loss, three of which came off Rascon's bat. She set a new career high with six RBIs and three runs scored. 

Munoz hit two solo home runs for the Cougars and finished 4 for 5 with three runs, two RBIs, and a double. Franco had the team's sixth home run, a two-run blast in the first. 

Balcazar posted a double and a run scored, and Christensen scored twice to go with a single and a walk. Erran had a pair of RBIs, and freshman Dionna Leanio had a pair of sacrifice bunts. 

Sophomore Angelica Tello (2-5) took the loss with a complete game in the circle. She allowed 15 hits, 15 runs (six earned), and one walk with three strikeouts in seven innings.