ELAC Softball Storms Back for 9-5 Win Over LA Harbor
MONTEREY PARK, CA — With a looming storm including some rain during the game, the East Los Angeles College softball team splashed back from a 5-3 deficit and won 9-5 over Los Angeles Harbor College.
The win evened the Huskies record at 9-9 overall. Both teams finished the home-and-home series with one win apiece. ELAC lost 8-0 against Harbor (9-6) on February 8 in Wilmington.
The Huskies opened the scoring today. With runners on second and third in the first inning, sophomore left fielder Samantha Alvarado (Edgewood High School) singled to left field (run batted in) and ELAC led 1-0.
Lightening continued for the Husky bats in the second inning as ELAC scored two runs off four hits. Sophomore third baseman Destiny Avena (St. Paul HS) singled to center field followed by a single up the middle from sophomore designated player Natalie Acosta (Bell HS). After an out, sophomore short stop Angelina Gonzales (Gabrielino HS) tripled to center field from a full count (RBI). Sophomore right fielder Dominique De Alba (Bell Gardens HS) doubled to right field and ELAC led 3-0.
When facing teams with winning records, ELAC pitchers average about 3-5 good innings. Freshman pitcher Majisty Shomo (Alhambra / Century HS) got into trouble in the top of the third inning and Harbor scored three runs before the first out. Shomo was replaced by freshman pitcher Angelita Villalvazo (Stockton / Edison HS) with a runner in scoring position. The first batter doubled and Harbor led 4-3. After an out, Villalvazo struck out the final two batters looking.
In the fourth inning, Villalvazo got into a jam after an out, an ELAC error and two dropped balls from the Husky catcher. Harbor led 5-3. In the bottom of the inning, the Huskies tied the score 5-5 from two singles, one each from freshman Reanne Moreno (Arroyo HS) and sophomore center fielder Mone't Manning (Northview HS).
The lights came on as the clouds darkened. The Huskies then turned the lights out on Harbor with a four-run sixth inning of wild play. Sophomore first baseman Jessica Hernandez (South El Monte HS) hit a lead-off single to right field. Manning bunted safely to the roar of the crowd.
With runners at the corners, Alvarado bunted, but was out at first (RBI) while Hernandez scored beating the throw to the plate by an outreached arm. Avena doubled (RBI). Sophomore Julie Granadeno (LA Marshall HS) singled a blooper to center field (RBI) and Acosta was out at first (RBI). The Huskies led 9-5 with the crowd screaming their approval. Villalvazo retired the side in the top of the seventh and the day’s storm turned out to be the Huskies 13-hit victory.
Stat Sheet
Villalvazo improved to 2-2 with the win and struck out six batters in five innings. She totals 16 strikeouts in 21 innings. The duo pitching of Villalvazo and Shomo on the mound was a winning combination for the fourth time this season.
Manning, who leads the Huskies with a .475 batting average, belted three hits (RBI). Sophomore second baseman Sara Serrano (Baldwin Park / Sierra Vista HS) doubled and singled (RBI). Hernandez singled twice (RBI).
Six Huskies each had a hit. Gonzales tripled (RBI), Alvarado and Acosta each singled (2 RBIs each), De Alba singled (RBI) Granadeno singled as did Moreno.
Non-conference play continues with the Huskies playing at Long Beach City College (12-10) on Thursday.
ELAC closes out another series, this one against Compton College (10-14) with a home game against the Tartars on Tuesday March 20. The Huskies won 15-7 at Compton on February 15.
Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).
story submitted by Tadzio Garcia