Bryanna Monelo made her first Western State Conference softball start a memorable one on Tuesday by hitting and pitching SBCC to a 5-4 victory over L.A. Pierce in eight innings. Monelo, a freshman from San Jose, tripled to lead off the game in Woodland Hills, then drove in the winning run with a two-out RBI single in the first extra inning.
It was the fourth win in five games for the Vaqueros (5-13, 3-6 WSC).
Monelo opened the game with a triple and scored on a passed ball. The Vaqueros scored three in the third to take a 4-1 lead. Sierra Van Olphen, who went 3-for-5, singled and came around to score on Amanda Sharp’s RBI single. Sharp scored on an error and Sonja Crawford added a two-out RBI single.
With the score tied 4-4 in the eighth, Brianne Bagwell singled to the right side, stole second base and went to third on a passed ball. Monelo brought her home with a two-out single to center.
Erin Breck was also 3-5 while Crawford and Monelo added two hits apiece. Monelo gave up four runs in five innings and Gabby Garza tossed three innings of scoreless relief.
“I’m very happy,” said coach Paula Congleton. “We’ve won four of five and we’re on an upward swing. Things are starting to come together.”
The Vaqueros will play a doubleheader at Hancock on Thursday and compete in the Bakersfield Classic this weekend.
SBCC 5, L.A. PIERCE 4
SBCC …………….. 103 000 01 — 5 10 3
L.A. Pierce ……… 010 030 00 — 4 10 4
Monelo, Garza (6) and Crawford; Scarmozzino and Domine. W–Garza (4-10). L–Scarmozzino.
3B–SB: Monelo.
