Softball Pulls Off Thrilling Walkoff Win Against Citrus

LAMC Softball came back from a 9-2 deficit in the last two innings of its Tuesday game against Citrus College to win in walkoff fashion in the bottom of the 7^th. The game, a rivalry match and a Conference must-win, improved Mission's record to 3-1 in the WSC and 12-11 overall.

The first two innings were evenly matched; neither team reached base in the 1^st and both picked up a run in the 2^nd.

The uphill battle began for the Eagles in the 3^rd, when the Owls found a groove against freshman starting pitcher Gabriela Monge. Five of the first six batters singled to score two runs, compelling Mission coaches to bring sophomore Carmen Vargas to the mound with bases loaded and 1 out. Vargas induced a fielder's choice ground-out to 3^rd base, bringing in one more run, but got the third out herself on a comebacker to end the rally at 4-1.

The Eagles picked up another run in the bottom of the 3^rd, but were shut out in the 4^th and 5^th. Meanwhile they continued to struggle on the field, resulting in another 5 runs for Citrus on a combination of hits, errors, and passed balls.

But the Mission magic finally arrived in the 6^th when the Eagles' ballistic bats brought the game back within reach.

Calderon led off the inning with a bomb that cleared the right field fence. Monge, who had reentered the game for Vargas at the top of the inning, followed with a single. Freshman 2^nd baseman Mitzy Rodriguez walked, freshman right fielder Arianna Ramos singled to load the bases, and freshman 1^st baseman Ashley Silva hit a ball deep in the outfield to score Monge and Rodriguez.

Citrus then replaced their pitcher for the second time that inning, only to see two more back-to-back singles from sophomore left fielder Isabel Mercado and freshman center fielder Alyanna Martinez, bringing in Ramos and Silva. Freshman 3^rd baseman Sydney Caballero popped a shallow fly ball to the right fielder, scoring Mercado. The Owls intentionally walked Calderon before finally getting a ground ball out from Monge to end their nightmare.

With a 9-8 score going into the 7^th inning, the Eagles' mission was to limit the damage on the field and get back to the plate to finish what they started. They gave up one run, leaving them down by two for their final at-bat.

Freshman pinch hitter Ariana Luna struck out in the leadoff spot, and freshman catcher Jayleen Velazquez was thrown out at 1^st on a hard ground ball that the pitcher managed to snag.

Refusing to let the game end, Ramos drew a walk. Silva then stroked a ball to left center field that bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double, placing the tying runners at 2^nd and 3^rd.

With 2 strikes, Mercado hit a soft ground ball to the 1^st baseman, who tipped the ball off her glove and couldn't beat Mercado to the bag. Her diving effort allowed Silva time to head home, and her late throw to the catcher advanced Mercado to 2^nd behind her.

Martinez stepped up to the plate with the winning runner on 2^nd, and punched a ball down the left field line to score Mercado in the most electrifying moment of the Eagles' season so far.

"Today showed the heart this team had this year; it's a never-quit mentality until the final out is recorded," Head Coach Chris Hylland said. "I'm extremely proud of these young ladies."

The win moved Mission up to 2^nd in the Western State Conference, with four games left in the first round. The Eagles next take the field on Thursday, March 8, at LA Valley at 2:30 p.m.