ELAC softball blanks No. 2 Mt. SAC 2-0

WALNUT, CA — For the first time since 2015, the East Los Angeles College softball team defeated South Coast Conference North Division rival and No. 2 state-ranked Mt. San Antonio College.

The Huskies won the pitching duel and handed Mt. SAC their second shutout in three games, 2-0. ELAC picked up its third shutout victory of the season. 

“The girls did well,” said 18-year ELAC head coach Erika Blanco, who just won her 200th game on Sunday with a 5-3 victory over Porterville College. “Freshman pitcher Majisty Shomo (Alhambra / Century HS) and sophomore catcher Destiny Avena (St. Paul HS) took control of the game and the tempo and were outstanding keeping the (Mt. SAC) offense quiet.”

“Their pitcher did a great job and held our offense as well,” said Blanco. “Our defense did great, played in focus and remained calm throughout the game.” 

ELAC, 14-10 overall and 3-2 in the SCC North, created a four-team race with the win. The Huskies trimmed Mt. SAC’s (19-4, 4-1) two-game lead to one over Pasadena City College (14-9, 3-2) and ELAC, who are both tied for second. Chaffey College (17-8, 2-2) is a half-game behind the second-place teams.

Shomo earned the win today. She pitched the distance, struck out five and improves to 6-7. Shomo pitched her first shutout with her best performance in the circle this year. “To have that focus and that resilience as a freshman is really exciting as she continues to grow.”

Shomo handled Mt. SAC’s threats combined with the defense playing great fundamental softball. In the fourth, with two outs and a Mountie on third, Shomo got a strikeout looking. 

In the sixth inning, ELAC took advantage of two Mt. SAC errors, driving in two runs unearned on two hits from short stop Angelina Gonzales (Gabrielino HS), who doubled, and second baseman Sara Serrano (Baldwin Park / Sierra Vista HS), who singled (RBI).

Shomo gave up a lead-off hit in the bottom of the seventh, then retired the side. The Green and White side celebrated the win for the first time in three years. 

Stat Sheet

ELAC was outhit 5-4. ELAC’s other two hits came from center fielder Mone't Manning (Northview HS) who singled twice. She has a batting average of .471.

Mt. SAC’s hits were from short stop Carissa Felix (Ontario HS), who doubled and singled and three Mounties who singled, designated player Michelle Banales (Fontana HS), catcher Michelle Santiago (Burroughs HS) and second baseman Nikki Soto (Claremont HS).

Next Up

ELAC puts its five-game win streak on the line with a SCC crossover game at Cerritos College (12-10). Mt. SAC, who has dropped three straight including 6-2 to No. 9 Santiago College, plays at Rio Hondo College (4-22-1, 0-5) in SCC North play. Both games are set for Thursday at 3 p.m.

Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).  

submitted by Tadzio Garcia,

East Los Angeles College

Sports Information Desk