ARNDT PITCHES ANOTHER GEM, MARAUDER SOFTBALL OPENS CONFERENCE WITH VICTORY

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

GLENDALE - Morgan Arndt was stellar on the mound and the Marauder bats provided her with a huge cushion as AVC opened Western State Conference play with an easy 9-1 victory over host Glendale College, Thursday afternoon.

Arndt (7-2) pitched four solid innings of three-hit ball, while striking out five batters and allowing no runs. Over her last four starts, all AVC wins, Arndt has pitched 25 innings allowing only three earned runs while striking out 22 hitters and walking only two.

"I've been feeling well out there on the mound, despite the fact being sick this week. My defense has been helping me so much and I couldn't do it without them," Arndt said. "I feel a lot more comfortable when we come out and hit. It's a lot less stressful knowing we have the lead even if the other team gets a run or two."

How's eight runs before even taking the mound.

The Marauders (13-5, 1-0) exploded for eight runs in the top of the first inning, which included a grand slam by Dolly Stevens. Stevens finished with five RBI and also added a double as she was 2-for-3 on the afternoon.

Valerie Dorantes joined in the hit parade for AVC as she finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Teammate Samantha Arriola added a two-RBI triple in that explosive first inning.