Aztecs Softball gets upset on the road at South Mountain CC

The Pima Community College softball team (33-3, 23-3 in ACCAC) had a tough day at the office on Thursday in its ACCAC conference doubleheader at South Mountain Community College (24-12, 17-7).
The No. 5 ranked Aztecs were swept for the first time this season and had their 14-game winning streak snapped. Freshman Jiselle Nunez was a bright spot on offense in the second game as she hit two home runs to give her 16 so far this season.

• Game 1: South Mountain CC Cougars 3, (5) Pima CC Aztecs 2: The Aztecs took the lead in the 4^th inning, but the Cougars rallied to score three runs in the 5^th inning.
  Sophomore Alyssa Noriega (Pueblo HS) hit a leadoff single to begin the 4^th inning. With one out, freshman Julissa Lopez (Tucson Magnet HS) reached on an error. Sophomore Cheyanne Ortiz (Tucson Magnet HS) drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman Amerika Lopez-Bedoy (Sunnyside HS) reached on an error by the shortstop, which brought in pinch runner Nevaeh Bracamonte and Lopez as Pima went up 2-0.
  The Cougars hit three RBI singles in the 5^th inning to take the lead.
  The Aztecs stranded eight runners on the basepaths. Noriega finished the game 2 for 4 while sophomore Talia Martin (Mountain View HS) was 1 for 2 with a walk. Sophomore Aubrey Marx (Cienega HS) went 1 for 4 and freshman Clarissa Figueroa (Mountain View HS) finished 1 for 3.
  Flores suffered her first loss of the season as she pitched six innings, giving up three runs (three earned) on eight hits with nine strikeouts and two walks on 127 pitches.

PCC     0 0 0 2 0 0 0    2   5   1
SMCC  0 0 0 0 3 0 x   3   8   4

L – Flores (15-1). 2B: Martin.

• Game 2: South Mountain CC Cougars 12, (5) Pima CC Aztecs 4 (5 innings): The Aztecs rally was cut short in the 5^th inning as the Cougars earned the sweep with a run-rule win.
  The Aztecs took the early lead in the 1^st inning when Nunez hit her first home run on a solo shot to right field to put the Aztecs up 1-0.
  The Cougars went on to score 12 straight runs.
  The Aztecs attempted to rally in the top of the 5^th inning. Figueroa and Martin had back-to-back hits to open the inning. Nunez blasted her second homer of the game with a three-run shot to center field.
  Nunez finished the game 3 for 3 with four RBIs, two runs scored and two homers. Figueroa was 1 for 2 with a run while Martin went 1 for 3 with a run.
  Camacho took the loss as she pitched two-thirds of the 1^st inning, giving up four runs (four earned) on five hits with one walk.

PCC      1 0 0 0 3    4     7    3
SMCC  4 5 0 3 x   12   12   0

L – Camacho (3-2). 2B: Figueroa. HR: Nunez 2.

The Aztecs will be back on the road for another tough test when they play at No. 6 ranked Phoenix College in an ACCAC conference doubleheader. First game starts at 12:00 p.m.