SMCC Softball Sweeps Gateway CC to Extend Winning Streak

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College softball team (18-12, 13-11 ACCAC) defeated Gateway CC 7-2 and 18-7 (5 innings) in an ACCAC doubleheader at the SMCC Softball Field on April 9. Freshman Taylor Christensen fanned a career-high 16 batters to lead the Cougars to a victory in the opener. In the second game, freshman Nadia Rascon went 4 for 4 with four runs, five RBIs, two home runs, and a double. 

Game One Recap

Christensen delivered an outstanding performance in the circle to improve to 4-5 on the season. She struck out the side in the fourth inning, had three strikeouts in the first and second, and had multiple strikeouts in all but one frame. She allowed three hits, two earned runs, and two walks over the seven innings. 

Offensively, SMCC scored two runs in each of the first three innings. Rascon hit a two-run home run in the first, freshmen Dionna Leanio and Sabrina Erran had RBIs in the second, and freshman Azlynn Madrid roped an RBI double in the third after a Gecko miscue brought home a run. Madrid would add another RBI in the fifth. 

Madrid was 3 for 3 with two RBIs and the double, while Leanio was 3 for 4 with a run, two stolen bases, and an RBI. Christensen recorded a pair of base hits and a run scored, and sophomore Mekaila Smith scored twice.  

Game Two Recap

The Cougar offense erupted for 18 runs, including 10 in the third, and 17 hits in game two en route to the 18-7, five-inning victory. 

Rascon hit a solo home run to start the third and later posted a two-run RBI double in the frame. She blasted a two-run home run, her second of the game and third of the day, in the fourth. She is batting .527 with nine home runs, 35 RBIs, and 21 runs. 

Madrid went 3 for 3 with three runs, two RBIs, and three doubles, and Christensen and Saucedo had the team's other doubles. Christensen had a pair of RBIs, a stolen base, and scored a run, while Saucedo went 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. 

Sophomore Iliana Munoz finished 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBi, and freshman Sabrina Erran had a triple and added a run, a stolen base, and an RBI. Freshman Marissa Quihuis went 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBi, and freshman Brianna Risley scored two runs. Leanio scored twice and stole a base. 

Sophomore Angelica Tello (5-6) earned the win with five innings of work in the circle. She allowed nine hits, five earned runs, and one walk with four strikeouts.