Hancock Softball Hosts Doubleheader Saturday against Mt. San Jacinto

The Allan Hancock College softball team closes its five-game homestand to open the 2016 season with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 6 against Mt. San Jacinto College. The games are slated to begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Hancock. Hancock, which was ranked No. 10 in the South Region preseason poll, will start the week 2-1.

The Bulldogs opened the season with a 14-4 five-inning win over Taft. Freshman shortstop Larrissa Ostrander had four hits and 2 RBI. Sophomore center fielder Judith Salazar (Righetti HS) drove in four runs, and Emily Gantt (St. Joseph HS) had two hits and 2 RBI. Sophomore third baseman Ashley Ruiz (Nipomo HS) also drove in three runs. Shannon Peterson earned the win with four strikeouts over five innings. Saturday, Hancock split a doubleheader with San Diego City College. Maggie Dasis (Righetti HS) delivered a walk-off double in Hancock's 8-7 victory. Ostrander had two hits, while Salazar, Gantt and Peterson had three hits apiece. Gantt clubbed her first Bulldog home run and drove in three runs. Salazar also drove in three. In the second game, Hancock fell 11-2 in five innings despite a home run from sophomore catcher Monique Hoobery (Pioneer Valley HS).

After three games, Ostrander is 7 for 9 (.778) with seven stolen bases and four runs scored. Gantt is hitting .714 and Salazar is at a .444 clip. Both Gantt and Salazar have 6 RBI to lead the club.

Mt. San Jacinto split a doubleheader with San Bernardino. The Eagles will play two at Barstow College on Wednesday, Feb. 3 before heading to Hancock.