Matadors heating up for league play

SPRING VALLEY —- Look which East County softball club is riding a 3-game winning streak!The Mount Miguel Matadors, who started the season with a 1-7-1 mark, are suddenly on a streak just in time for league play, featuring Wednesday’s (May 5) dramatic 14-13 come-from-behind, walk-off triumph over visiting Monte Vista in a Grossmont Valley League opener.

The Matadors trailed by seven in the fifth inning, but bounced back to get even through six frames, then garnered the walk-off winner in the seventh.The stretch of eight unanswered runs was capped when  Ariani Moya singled, stole second base, then came home when pinch-hitter Valeria Ray slapped a single with two outs for the game-winning RBI.
The top of the Mount Miguel batting order had an impressive outing. Leadoff batter Giselle Valencia (2-for-4, 2 walks) scored four times, while the No 2 hitter Alex Schneider batted 4-for-5, with three RBI and three runs scored.

The comeback found a foundation with some vastly improving relief pitching.

After Monte Vista tallied five times in the fourth, Kylie Perkins entered the circle for the Matadors and pitched the final three innings. The sophomore was tagged for a quick run, then she settled in and fired 2 2/3 frames of shutout ball; one other run scored on a passed ball for a 13-6 deficit.

The rally saw Mount Miguel score three times in the fifth on a Schneider double, then a par of grounder balls to the right side– by Roanna Riggins and Moya — brought home runners in Valencia and Schneider.

An inning later, the inning ended in disaster for the Monarchs.

The Monarchs saw the first four batters reach base, but no one scored because a runner was thrown out at the plate n a relay from right fielder Gitselle Blanco to shortstop Giselle Valencia to catchER Alexis Scheider. FOR the tag out.

With the bases still loaded, Carrillo escaped on an infield fly to second base and a foul pop-up to first base.

The momentum swung to Mount Miguel in its trip to the plate, scoring three times to move even, with all of the runs scoring after there two outs.

Included was an RBI single by freshman Marisol Romo, a run-scoring double from Schneider, then a massive, 2-run triple by Riggins.

Ray and Riggins both finished with two hits for Mount Miguel. while Ray and Sami Jelowdar each collected two RBI.

For Monte Vista (2-11 overall), catcher Juliana Lemen batted 4-for-6, while leadoff batter Madison Jones went 2-for-4 with two runs and a pair of RBI. The club’s run total was the second-highest of the season (17 vs. SD-Southwest on Apr. 19). Jones struck out seven Matadors batters in her complete-game loss.

Next Wednesday, Mount Miguel travels to Lakeside to meet El Capitan in a battle to see which side will gain the opportunity to take on preseason favorite Santana for the GVL crown.