Eagles Clinch First Conference Title Since 2009

The MSJC softball team clinched the IEAC championship on Friday with a home sweep of Victor Valley. (Photo Courtesy of Gabriella Paredes)
The MSJC softball team clinched the IEAC championship on Friday with a home sweep of Victor Valley. (Photo Courtesy of Gabriella Paredes)

The MSJC softball team swept Victor Valley on Friday afternoon to claim their first conference title since 2009.

The Eagles fell behind early in game one as the Rams scored three times in the top of the third inning to take the lead. MSJC answered back in a big way in the bottom of the inning as they scored six times. Amy Naranjo got the offense started with a two-run single followed by an RBI single from Madison Myers, an RBI double by Hayley Gano, and a run scoring single from Bailey Heuer finished off the inning. Ellianna Pasley earned the pitching victory throwing the first four innings of the game allowing just three runs. Trinity Robinson came in and earned the save with three shutout innings of relief for the 7-3 win.

In game two the Rams once again scored first as they went ahead 1-0 in the top of the first. The Eagles once again answered right back this time with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first. Brooke Schaffer had an RBI single followed by a two-run single from Laila Andrade. Trista Clarke blew the game open in the bottom of the fifth with a bases loaded double that chased home all three runners. Pasley again started in the circle and this time went five innings allowing just one run and Robinson threw two more scoreless innings in relief to close out the 6-1 victory.

The two victories clinched the Inland Empire Athletic Conference championship for MSJC, the programs first conference title since 2009 when they tied with Antelope Valley for the Foothill Conference crown. The championship also secured a playoff spot for the Eagles with just one game remaining in the regular season.

The Eagles now 28-10 overall and 13-1 in IEAC games will host Chaffey on Wednesday at 2 pm in Menifee to conclude the regular season and then await word on their playoff seeding and match-up.