Big Hit Propels SBVC Past Eagles

Big Hit Propels SBVC Past Eagles

Through three innings Monday, the San Bernardino Valley College softball team's were quieted by Mt. San Jacinto College pitcher Amanda Gromko.

In the fourth, the bats came alive enough to give the Wolverines a victory.

Aubrey Slider slammed the ball into the gap in right-center field for a triple that scored Sereya Diaz and Hannah Guilfoos, and Kaitlynn LaFleur followed with a single up the middle to score Slider to help SBVC overcome an early 1-0 deficit and beat Mt. San Jacinto 3-1 at the Drayson Center at Loma Linda University in Inland Empire Athletic Conference action.

The Eagles took the lead in the second after Ana Gastelum's soft bloop to shallow right popped out of second baseman Monique Davila's glove, allowing Maya Felipe to score.

But that was the last of the threats for the Eagles, as the SBVC defense and pitching staff shut the door. Sofia Martinez struck out six in 4 1/3 innings, before giving way to Alyssa Fonseca. Fonseca induced four groundouts - including a diving play by Tara Walker to steal a hit from Jasmine Barerras - and she ended the game by snagging a liner by Hailey Matthews. 

The victory clinched SBVC's first winning season in softball since 2015, and sets up a season-ending face-off against Chaffey for the conference championship. The two teams will play a doubleheader that will start at noon Wednesday.