(Bakersfield, CA) With the proverbial target on the backs of the CCCAA defending state champion Mt. SAC Softball Team, the 2019 season is off and running Saturday (1/26).

It was No. 1 versus No. 2 in the opening game of the season.

The Mounties, picked as the preseason top-ranked team in the state by the California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association (3CFCA), took on the second-ranked San Mateo Bulldogs at Bakersfield, who came away with a walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh inning, 6-5 at Bakersfield College.

The Bulldogs built up an early, 4-0 lead by the second inning off starter Briana Wheeler.

The Mounties cut the lead in half, 4-2, in the third inning with a pair of runs.

Trailing 5-2 in the top of the fifth, Mt. SAC began mounting a comeback with a pair of runs in the fifth and a tying run in the sixth (5-5).

San Mateo, which finished fourth last year in the state championships, rallied for the winning run in the seventh for the opening-game win.

Zoe Brewer, who relieved Wheeler, pitched the final three innings and suffered the defeat.

Leadoff batter Candace Haliburton (3 for 4) led the Mounties with three hits, scored two runs and knocked in two runs, which included a double and a home run.

Right fielder Caitlyn Felina (2-4, 2 SB, R) and first baseman Vicky Gutierrez (2-4, 2 RBIs) each collected two hits.

As a team the Mounties banged out eight hits.

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