Huskies Softball Team Shocks Ventura 6-5
MONTEREY PARK, CA — The East Los Angeles College Huskies softball team stunned the No. 10 3CFCA SoCal ranked Ventura College Pirates today during a Sunday triple header at the Huskies Softball Field.
It was payback from ELAC who has improved since they dropped a 17-3 decision to the Pirates in the Mt. San Jacinto College President’s Day Tournament on February 16.
ELAC, 16-13 overall, dropped a 4-2 contest to previously No. 10-ranked Fullerton College (17-15) in the nightcap. Fullerton limited Ventura (21-9) to five hits in a 7-1 stomp over the Pirates.
There were five lead changes and four ties in the playoff atmosphere-type game against Ventura. ELAC scored the lead off run in the first inning. The teams traded runs in the second and third innings and ELAC led, 3-2 after three.
Ventura took back the momentum with two runs in the top of the fifth and led 4-3. Down but not out, ELAC stormed back and took a 5-4 lead in the bottom half of the inning. The Huskies scored the game winning run in the sixth and held on for the one-run win.
Against Fullerton, ELAC lost the pitching dual in the seventh inning. The Huskies led, 1-0 after two and 2-1 after six, but Fullerton scored three runs off a tired relief freshman pitcher Majisty Shomo (Alhambra / Century HS) who pitched six innings in the Ventura win.
Paw Tracks Stat Sheet
Ventura: Shomo’s six innings in the circle earned her a ninth win. She improved to 9-10 overall. She had three strikeouts. Freshman pitcher Angelita Villalvazo (Stockton / Edison HS) got her third save of the season. After Ventura closed the gap to one run in the ninth, down 6-5, sophomore relief pitcher Samantha Alvarado (Edgewood HS) came and in calmly used her powered arm to retire the side.
Each team knocked 12 hits. Two sophomores led the Huskies offense, center fielder Mone't Manning and third baseman Julie Granadeno (LA Marshall HS). Manning clobbered four hits—a double and three singles with a run batted in. Granadeno doubled with two RBIs. Sophomore right fielder Natalie Acosta (Bell HS) singled twice (RBI). Two Husky sophomores each singled with an RBI, catcher Destiny Avena (St. Paul HS) and short stop Angelina Gonzales (Gabrielino HS). Three other Husky sophomores singled, pitcher/second baseman Alvarado, left fielder Dominique De Alba (Bell Gardens HS) and first baseman Jessica Hernandez (South El Monte HS).
Fullerton:
Reliefer Shomo pitched the seventh inning and absorbed the loss with one strike out. Starter Villalvazo pitched six innings and struck out two.
The Huskies hammered seven hits. Manning and designated player/pitcher Villalvazo led the Husky offense. Manning homered and singled (RBI). Villalvazo tripled and singled (RBI). Three sophomores singled for ELAC—Alvarado, Hernandez and Acosta.
Next Up
After playing five games this week, the Huskies play four next week during the most critical portion of the season, with just eight games remaining left.
The Huskies compete in two South Coast Conference North Division games that will have a huge bearing in the title race of four teams. ELAC, who is 3-3 in the conference an tied for second place, hosts Pasadena City College (18-12, 3-3) on Tuesday and Mt. San Antonio College (24-5, 6-2) on Thursday.
Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).
submitted by Tadzio Garcia