Dons Defeat LA Valley 4-3 in Ninth Despite Early Lead
SANTA ANA, CA -The Santa Ana College (SAC) softball team defeated visiting Los Angeles Valley College 4-3 in nine innings after blowing an early 3-0 lead. The win improves the Dons to 3-4-1 while LA Valley falls to 4-3.
Alicia Remigio opened the game by retiring the first three batters in order on just three pitches. After allowing a lead-off double in the second, she struck out the second batter but a passed ball kept the ball alive. The runner attempted to score from second but was thrown out by Bre Dravis.
Remigio repeated her first inning feat in the third inning when she again retired the side in order on just three pitches. She proceeded to help her own cause in the bottom half of the inning when she hit a double to right-center allowing Nicole Mendoza and Dravis to score, putting the Dons up 2-0.
Remigio continued to baffle the LA Valley batters as she retired the side in order again in the top of the fourth inning. SAC added a third run in the bottom of the fourth when Dravis singled to leftfield, scoring Haylee Whitney who reached on a single.
LA Valley broke up the shutout in the top of the fifth inning when Candace Williams doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on an infield single to cut the Dons lead to 3-1.
The Monarchs scored again in the sixth to cut the lead to 3-2 when Shasta Lionetti scored on a RBI-ground out. Lionetti had reached on a walk, stole second and made it to third on a passed ball.
Remigio retired the first two batters in the seventh inning before Amber Cabada hit a ball through the glove of Cheyenne Ryan to keep the inning alive. After reaching third on a single, Cabada tied the game at 3-3 on a passed ball.
Neither team was able to score in the eighth inning and Katlyn Harp shut the Monarchs in the ninth to give the Dons another shot at offense. Harp led the ninth off by reaching on a bunt single.
After Dravis popped out for the first out, Mendoza reached on a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Harp, who advanced to third on the error, attempted to score but was thrown out at home.
Mendoza was able to advance to third on a passed ball before Shannon Halverson roped a double to the gap allowing Mendoza to score the game-winning run.
Remigio got a no-decision as she pitched seven innings allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits. She started the game with 25 consecutive pitches without throwing a ball. Harp improved to 3-1 on the season in relief of Remigio. She pitched the final two innings allowing two hits and no runs.
Next: Riverside at Santa Ana, Tuesday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m. |
