Softball Defeats LA Mission 4-3, Powered by Strong Pitching and Timely Defense

After two dominant shutout victories, 18-0 against Taft College and 17-0 against Rio Hondo College, the Chaffey Panthers softball team continued their winning streak with a 4-3 victory over LA Mission, the #19 ranked team in the state preseason poll, on Tuesday.

The Panthers began strong, quickly taking a 2-0 lead. Amanda Sera ignited the offense with a lead-off single. Samantha Vasquez followed with a sacrifice bunt, one of five executed by the Panthers that day. Vivian Medinilla then singled, placing runners at the corners. With one out, Sera and Medinilla perfectly executed a double steal, bringing Sera home for the first run and advancing Medinilla to second. Sophomore Megan Aranda drove Medinilla in with an RBI single, extending Chaffey's lead to 2-0.

In the top of the second inning, Chaffey continued to score. Freshman Alyssa Sanchez led off with a double, followed by freshman Allison Waite's sacrifice bunt, which resulted in an error. Sophomore Delaney Barber then singled, loading the bases with no outs. Amanda Sera grounded out to third via fielder's choice but picked up an RBI and then Samantha Vasquez drove a ball to deep left to easily score Delaney Barber on the sacrifice fly for a 4-0 lead.

Despite missed opportunities to add runs, the Panthers' defense proved to be the difference, stranding eight LA Mission runners and securing the win.Tori Morton and Amanda Sera combined to pitch a solid game, keeping the Eagles' offense at bay and allowing just one run in each of the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings. Morton picked up her third win of the year, and Sera recorded her first save. 

A crucial moment in the game came took place in the second and third inning, Tori Morton, Allison Waite, and Samantha Vasquez combined for a strikeout/caught stealing double play. Tristen Wren and Alyssa Sanchez followed suit with another double play in the third. Wren's arm was on display again in the fourth, throwing out a runner at home, and Morton expertly navigated a bases-loaded situation to maintain the shutout.

Up next, the Panthers will host #9-ranked Saddleback College on Wednesday, February 19th, with the game starting at 2:00 p.m.