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Espinoza hits walk-off two-run home run in the eighth inning to defeat El Camino, 4-2

Photo by DavesSportsImage (File Photo)
Photo by DavesSportsImage (File Photo)

(Walnut, CA) With one out, a runner on base, and a 2-2 score in the eighth inning, freshman third baseman Janis Espinoza hit a two-run home run for a 4-2 walk-off victory over visiting El Camino in a South Coast Conference game on Friday (March 24).

The win was the second consecutive extra-inning win for the Mounties (15-3, 7-0) over El Camino in a week. Mt. SAC defeated the Warriors (10-9, 2-6), 5-4, last Saturday (March 18) in nine innings.

"Janis (Espinoza) keeps things simple and covers the entire plate," said Mt. SAC assistant coach Jim Bollier, regarding her game-ending at bat. "Tough batter to get out and simply looked for a pitch to hit hard in the last inning today."

Mt. SAC sophomore shortstop Katelyn Olson opened the eighth inning with a walk, which was sacrificed to second by sophomore second baseman Asia Chacon (2 for 3, R), who came home on the homerun by Espinoza.

"My mindset was a base hit up the middle, something simple and luck just came to me," explained Espinoza, of her hit.

Espinoza (3 for 4, 2 R, 3 RBIs) was a high school teammate at La Mirada with Mt. SAC winning pitcher Aleyna Urbina, said of her six-inning relief appearance, "Just like usual, she's always been the pitcher that can come in clutch, same old, same old. It's always been a pleasure to play behind her." 

With Mt. SAC trailing, 2-0, in the third inning, Espinoza and sophomore outfielder Mia Mendoza, doubled and singled in a run each, respectively, tying the game, 2-2.

Urbina, who had come in to relieve starter Alyssa Rubalcava in the top of the third, scattered four hits and struck out seven over the last six innings.

"It was a good game and when I came in, I knew my team had my back," Urbina said.

Mt. SAC will continue its play this weekend with a three-way series hosting Palomar and Santiago Canyon. The first game is set for 10:00 am with the Mounties taking on 3CFCFA #1 Ranked Palomar Comets.