SMCC Softball Splits with Glendale CC

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College softball team (26-16, 21-15 ACCAC) split an ACCAC doubleheader at Glendale CC on April 30, falling 11-10 in game one before posting a 4-3 victory in game two. Sophomore Iliana Munoz had four hits, and sophomore Vanessa Philpot and freshman Elise Saucedo drove in three apiece in the game-one loss. In game two, Saucedo added two more RBIs, freshman Michelle Balcazar and sophomore Mekaila Smith had three hits and freshman Taylor Christensen tossed a complete game with five strikeouts. 

Game One Recap

Trailing 2-1 in the sixth, SMCC scored five runs in the top of the frame to take a 6-2 lead. However, the Gauchos would rally for nine runs in the bottom half and held off an SMCC rally in the seventh to post the 11-10 victory. 

Philpot had the big hit in the sixth for the Cougars, clearing the bases with a three-run double. She finished 2 for 4 with a run and three RBIs. 

Munoz had an RBI single in the second, singled and scored in the sixth, and led off the seventh with her second triple of the season. She went 4 for 4 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a walk. 

Saucedo came off the bench to finish 2 for 2 with three RBIs. She had an RBI single in the sixth and a two-run double in the seventh. Sophomore Mekaila Smith also came off the bench to post two hits and added two runs and an RBI. 

Freshman Azlynn Madrid went 2 for 3 with a run and a stolen base, and Christensen was 2 for 3 with two runs and two walks. 

In the circle, sophomore Mykenzie Flores (9-2) took the loss with eight earned runs, four hits, and two walks. Sophomore Angelica Tello went 3.2 innings with one run and strikeout, while sophomore Adenira Marquez tossed two innings of relief with one unearned run and two K's. 

Game Two Recap

SMCC scored three runs in the first, added an insurance run in the fifth, and held off GCC to post a 4-3 victory. 

In the first, Smith had an RBI single, and Saucedo had a two-out, two-run single to give SMCC a 3-0 advantage. Smith hit an RBI double in the fifth to bring home freshman Michelle Balcazar. 

Balcazar finished 3 for 4 with two runs, while Smith was 3 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI. Munoz and Christensen recorded a single and a run. 

Christensen (6-5) earned the win in the circle with a complete-game performance. She allowed eight hits, two earned runs, three walks, and five strikeouts over seven innings.