Offense and defense click, leading MJC softball to 3C2A state championships
MJC softball coach Donnie Donaldson was hoping the Pirates' offensive production from their first playoff series would carry on to the second round.
"Hopefully we can come out and do what we did today, hit the ball well and play MJC softball," Donaldson said after winning a three-game series against San Joaquin Delta College.
After collecting eight hits, a home run and scoring six runs in Game 1, putting up eight runs on 12 hits in Game 2 and recording two wins in their super regional series against. No. 14 Monterey Peninsula College, Donaldson and the Pirates would say mission accomplished.
"It's exciting when you can score against a pitcher who doesn't give up a lot of runs," Donaldson said. "That team hasn't given up 10 runs all year long, so we knew it was going to be a battle and a fight. The team responded really well."
Now, Pirates take their potent offense to West Valley College this weekend, where they hope to be the last team standing in all of California junior college softball. The Pirates were the No. 6 team in the NorCal tournament and hosted games over the past two weekends. They were re-seeded for this weekend's 3C2A Softball State Championship, which goes from the first games Thursday to Sunday's state championship.
MJC is the No. 4-ranked Northern California team and in the first round of the state tournament Thursday will play the top Southern California team, Orange Coast College, at 2 p.m. at West Valley College. All games will be available via subscription at bason.tv.
The Pirates reached the state tournament after a historic season. This year's team won 28 games, the most in at least nine seasons. With just 13 losses and one tie, the Pirates sealed the program's only winning season outside of 2021, according to the 3C2A website. They beat San Joaquin Delta College in the postseason's opening weekend and beat Monterey Peninsula College last weekend. They lost their first game of the postseason but have since won four straight, sealing an appearance in the championship.
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