SBCC rallied from early deficits twice on Sunday to claim the 35th Golden West Invitational softball title in Huntington Beach.
The Vaqueros (7-7) doubled up both opponents, beating WSC rival Moorpark 6-3 in the morning and Southwestern 8-4 in the championship. Moorpark led 3-0 after three innings and Southwestern, of Chula Vista, went ahead 4-0 after 2½ innings.
Tara Crawford, a freshman outfielder from San Marcos High, was named MVP. She batted .636 (7-11) with three RBIs and two doubles for the Vaqueros, who went 4-1 in the 12-team, three-day tourney.
Catcher Lauren Larabell earned all-tourney honors after hitting .533 (8-15) with five runs and three stolen bases.
Celeste Acosta and Alyse Harris combined on a four-hitter in the first game with Harris (4-6) throwing the last six innings. Natalie Orosco was 2-4 and her two-run single to right-center in the fifth put the Vaqueros ahead to stay, 5-3. Larabell had a hit and scored two runs.
Harris and Acosta held Southwestern to seven hits in the title game with Acosta (3-1) getting the win. Third baseman Bryn Thompson was 3-3 with three RBIs. Her two-run double in the fourth gave SBCC its first lead at 5-4.
Kiersty Briner was 1-1 with an RBI and two runs.
Orosco, Crawford and Mariah Coyazo also doubled in the second game. Harris pitched the first inning, then relieved Acosta in the 7th with two runners on and one out. Coyazo ended the game by snagging a line drive at shortstop and doubling up the runner at first.
“It was very nice to see our bats show up this weekend,” said assistant coach Erin Breck. “We were pumped up in both games (on Sunday) and fought from behind each time.
“This is a great confidence boost for us.”
The Vaqueros will play three games in four days, starting Tuesday with a 4 p.m. game at Bakersfield. The Renegades are ranked No. 7 in Southern California.
Semifinal
SBCC .……….…. 000 321 0 — 6 7 2
Moorpark ……… 300 000 0 — 3 4 1
Acosta, Harris (2) and Larabell; Lewis, Barbato (4), Whiteside (7) and Silveira. W–Harris 4-6. L–Barbato.
2B–SB: Orosco. M: Lee.
Championship
Southwestern ….. 031 000 0 — 4 7 0
SBCC ……………. 002 312 0 — 8 9 1
Beasley and Soto; Harris, Acosta (2), Harris (7) and Larabell. W–Acosta (3-1). L–Beasley.
2B–S: Allrisew. SB: Thompson, Orosco, Crawford, Coyazo.
