ACC Softball sweeps Doubleheader against visiting Monroe

Alvin Community College took both games of their doubleheader against Monroe University who made their yearly trip down from New York.

ACC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first in Game one, on an RBI ground out from BeAnka Galan, an error by Monroe and an Izzy Jacoby RBI single. ACC blew it open in the bottom of the third, with another Monroe error, a Savannah Salazar RBI single, an Izzy Jacoby RBI ground out, a bases loaded walk of Yaya Silva, a two run single by Emili Garza and another RBI ground out from BeAnka Galan. The Dolphins took a 9-0 lead into the fourth inning, before back to back RBI hits from Monroe's Maricela Colon and Nathalie Mongrain inched the score closer, at 9-2. Monroe would score a run in both the top of the sixth and the top of the seventh, with the final score being 9-4 in favor of the Dolphins. ACC starting pitcher Alexis Tamez got the victory, tossing four innings of two run ball. BeAnka Galan pitched the fifth, sixth and seventh innings and allowed two unearned runs on just one hit. Yaya Silva's double was the only extra base hit for the Dolphins, and she and Alyssa Keene each scored two runs. Galan, Garza and Jacoby each drove in two runs in Game one. Monroe's starting pitcher Georgia Wilson pitched all six innings for her squad, scattering six hits but allowing nine runs, six earned runs, walking two and hitting two batters, as several errors and failed fielder's choices hurt her final line.

Game two started off with a bang as ACC starting pitcher Sophie Brammer struck out the side in the top of the first. In fact, Brammer struck out the first five batters she faced, with four of the five being on just three pitches. ACC got the first and only run they needed on a Savannah Salazar RBI single in the bottom of the second inning. After three innings, Brammer had struck out 8 batters and only allowed one base runner. ACC added on another run with an RBI squeeze bunt from Izzy Doggett in the bottom of the third. Yaya Silva hit an RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth to put ACC up 3-0. In the top of the sixth inning, Monroe loaded the bases with nobody out after a bunt single, an error and a hit batter, but a strikeout and then a 6-4-3 double play got them out of the jam without allowing a run. Sophie Brammer helped her own cause with an insurance run when she singled in Salazar in the bottom of the sixth inning. Brammer allowed a leadoff walk and a stolen base put a runner at second base with no outs in the top of the seventh, but Brammer came up clutch again as she struck out the next three batters to end the ballgame. Silva, Salazar and Brammer each had two hits and an RBI, with Silva and Salazar both notching triples. Brammer tossed her first complete game shutout at the collegiate level, with her most strikeouts as a Dolphin, ringing up 12 Mustangs in Game two. Brammer allowed just three hits, one walk and two hit batters. Monroe's Carsyn O'Daniels was the only Mustang who found success against Brammer, reaching base in all three trips to the plate. Monroe pulled starter Zoey Zamora in the second inning after allowing just one run, in favor of Nadyelly Bones Rodriguez who lasted just one inning before being pulled for Sudaishely Hooi who pitched the last three innings, allowing two runs of her own.

ACC improved to 12-12 on the season with the sweep, and will take on conference rival Blinn in the conference opener on Wednesday at Ruth Ryan Field, starting at 1PM.

By: Evan Geiger