Cerritos Defeats Mt. SAC in Commanding Fashion for a Shot at the Championship
May 20 , 2007

Chino Hills, Calif. – After a loss to Cypress in the second round, Cerritos climbed all the way back and after defeating Cypress earlier in the morning, the Falcons got their chance against Mt. SAC. Cerritos handed the Mounties their first loss of the tournament and just their fifth loss this year with a 9-1 win to head to force a do-or-die championship game. Freshman shortstop Jenel Guadagno led the Falcons with 3 RBI.

Mt. SAC came out swinging with a lead off double down the left field line from freshman right fielder Kadie Baldwin. Baldwin got all the way to third by Cerritos pitcher Jessica Navarro shut the Mounties down with a fly out to end the half inning. The Mounties came close again in the second with another lead off double to right center from freshman pitcher Mandy Pongs. Pongs reached third on a sac bunt but was stopped in her tracks as Cerritos’s catcher Nadine Garcia picked her off at third.

Cerritos took advantage of some errors in a two out rally in the third to take the lead. Freshman third baseman Katie Colln singled to right to start the rally. Freshman left fielder Cecily Garcia laid down a bunt single and then took advantage of an error so Colln could reach third. Garcia stole second from there and Colln took advantage of the throw to steal home and give Cerritos the 1-0 lead. The Falcons stretched the lead in the sixth off another error. Freshman first baseman Stephanie Lomeli singled to right center and reached second on an outfield error and was replaced by Candice Cabrera to run. Colln reached next on an error that allowed Cabrera to come from second and score.

The Mounties would not fold putting up their first run in the sixth. Left fielder Randie Baldwin singled up the middle followed by an RBI single by her sister for the first Mounties run. Cerritos broke it open in the seventh. Guadagno singled to right and moved to second after a hit batter. Navarro singled to left next to load the bases. Freshman second baseman Vanezza Martin Del Campo took advantage of the loaded bases for a two RBI single while she hobbled to first. Designated player singled next for another RBI. Colln was hit by a pitch next to load the bases. An RBI walk by Cecily Garcia brought Del Campo hobbling home for another run. After a fielder’s choice, Guadagno was up again with the bases loaded. She took advantage with a three RBI double down the left field line giving the Falcons a commanding 9-1 lead.

Navarro earned the win for Cerritos improving to 34-6 on the season allowing five hits and one earned run. Freshman Shelair Rowell suffered the loss for Mt. SAC falling to 10-2.

The Falcons and Mounties have split their season series so far 2-2. Cerritos and Mt. SAC will play again to determine the 2007 State Champs at 3:15 today. This will be just the fourth time conference foes will face off for the championship with no underdog ever prevailing.