(Bakersfield, CA) Participating in the Bakersfield College Tournament, Mt. San Antonio College opened its 2023 season winning two out of three games on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 27-28. The Mounties defeated San Mateo College, 6-4, in Friday's first game, then lost to host Bakersfield, 8-7. On Saturday, Mt. SAC got back on the winning track with a 6-1 victory over Santiago Canyon College.

Mt. SAC 6 San Mateo 4

Tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, Mia Mendoza (2-2, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR) hit a two-run homer to score Janis Espinoza (1-2, R, RBI), who singled to start off the inning, to give the Mounties the lead for good. Emily Barba (2-3) also had an RBI for Mt. SAC. Asia Chacon (1-4, R, 2B), Desiree Bravo, and Barba each stole a base for the Mounties.

Aleyna Urbina (1-0) picked up the win for Mt. SAC, throwing four innings, allowing two runs (one earned), and striking out two.

Bakersfield 8 Mt. SAC 7

The host Renegades exploded for five runs in the first then held off a late rally by the Mounties in the seventh to capture the win.

Top hitters for Mt. SAC included Barba (1-2, RBI, 2B), Olivia Ortiz (1-1, R), Katelyn Olson (1-3, R), and Bravo (1-4, 2 RBI, 2B). Chacon, Olson, Espinoza (2), and Mendoza also stole bass for the Mounties.

Alexa Duran (0-1) got the loss.

Mt. SAC 6 Santiago Canyon 1

Mt. SAC turned a 1-0 deficit into a 1-1 tie when Espinoza (1-2, R, RBI, 2B) doubled to right-center in the bottom of the fourth to score Olson (1-3, R), who singled and stole second to start the bottom of the inning. The Mounties broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal the victory.

Alyssa Rubalcava (2-3, RBI), Chacon (2-3, R, 2 3B), and Olivia Ortiz (1-3, 2 RBI, 2B) also helped spark Mt. SAC's offense. On the basepaths, Olson, Jenna Ruiz, and Barba picked up stolen bases.

Urbina (1-1) earned the complete-game victory for the Mounties, pitching seven innings, and allowing one run (none earned), while striking out four.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.