Softball Sweeps LA Valley in Season Opener at Home

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College softball program opened the 2023 campaign with a convincing sweep over Los Angeles Valley College at home on Tuesday afternoon. 

The Bulldogs are set to return to action on Tuesday, February 7th, at home against Bakersfield College. Single-game tickets for the event, which is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM at the AHC Softball Field, can be purchased here. As per usual, the ticketing gate will be cashless and fans are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets prior to arrival, but credit/debit card purchases can be made at the gate.

GAME ONE: AHC 9, LAVC 0 | BOX SCORE

The Bulldogs got off to a red-hot start in game one after putting up eight runs through the first two frames. Briana Munoz and Madison Gamble plated the two runners after registering RBI singles before a double from Lauren Swing sent home the third run of the first frame. Munoz sparked a five-run rally in the second after notching a single that scored two. Gamble followed by recording her second RBI of the day with a single, while Antoinette Terrones and Alexia Juarez-Wilhite each tallied one. Danica Black ended the scoring for both sides in the bottom of the fourth with a double that plated one.

Lisette Coria ended the day with a perfect 2-for-2 showing at the plate, followed by two hits apiece from Munoz and Gamble. Heads-up base running by Coria and Abigail Salazar led to four stolen bases for the home squad as each runner registered two steals. 

Munoz earned the start in the circle and picked up her first win of the season after tossing a complete game while narrowly missing out on a no-hitter. She struck out three and surrendered just one hit after five innings of work before the run rule ended the game early.

GAME TWO: AHC 11, LAVC 3 | BOX SCORE

LA Valley struck first in game two with an unearned run in the opening frame, but the Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the inning with a three-run showing. Salazar scored first on a wild pitch before an RBI double from Munoz and an RBI single by Swing closed out the bottom of the first. The Monarchs quickly bounced back after a wild throw allowed two runners to score in the second, knotting the score, before both teams went scoreless in the third.

The home squad caught fire down the stretch as they racked up eight runs through the next two frames, forcing another early run-rule end. Hancock rattled off five runs in the fourth after a flurry of walks put the home crew in prime scoring position. D Quezada started the scoring string after making her way home on a wild pitch. Mendoza then registered an RBI after a bases-loaded walk before Munoz plated three runners on a deep single. Swing, Black, and Quezada each made their way home in the final inning with one RBI coming from a single by Coria.

Black picked up a win on the rubber in her collegiate debut. She surrendered two earned runs and six hits while punching out two batters through five innings.