Bats Power San Mateo Past Saddleback

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. –  The College of San Mateo Bulldogs picked up right where they left off a season ago, beating Saddleback 6-2 in the opening round of the 3C2A Softball State Championships at Bakersfield College on Thursday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bulldogs, who rattled off 10 hits on the afternoon, jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead early with a pair of homers and overall strong hitting. 

Selena Gonzales got the scoring started in the first inning, ripping a single to center to score Nia Mapa from third. The Bulldogs tried to tally another, sending Love Cabanas home from second, but she was thrown out at home by Saddleback's center fielder Lehua Garcia.

The next inning, the Bulldogs erupted for a four spot. Lilyana Williams and Alyssa Green each drove home runs on singles, then following green, the Player of the Year in the north, Mapa, hammered a two-run shot to center, putting the Bulldogs up 5-0.

Gonzales capped off San Mateo's scoring leading off the third, swinging away on a 3-0 count, parking one beyond the fence in center.

Kylee Cammarato replaced Bobcats' starting pitcher Colette Howren following the blast and was lights out, shutting out San Mateo across four innings pitched, allowing just three hits, striking out a pair.

Saddleback's bats showed some life in the middle innings. Ehva Cifuentes-Zombulovic, an All-Southern Team selection, singled home Mikayla Mendoza in the fourth then later scored on an errand back-pick attempt to third base – the throw soared into left allowing her to score.

That would do it for the Bobcats on the afternoon who put together good swings against San Mateo star pitcher Lola Sierra. Sierra was still brilliant, allowing one-earned in a complete-game victory, her 27th of the year. 

STAND OUT PERFORMERS

• Nia Mapa and Selena Gonzales combined to go 4-for-7 at the plate with two homers and four RBI.

• Hannah Ames reached in each plate appearance, notching a walk and two hits.

• Sierra walked just one batter and threw only 92 pitches in the CG.

UP NEXT

San Mateo moves onto the winner's bracket to face the No. 3 seed in the North, Cosumnes River at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Saddleback falls into the loser's bracket and will travel to Cal State Bakersfield to take on San Diego Mesa at 11 a.m.