The Los Medanos College Softball team had their first preseason doubleheader against the De Anza College Dons Saturday, Jan. 27. The team split the series after having a 9-7 loss against the Dons in the first game but came back with a 10-5 win in the second game.

Freshman Shaylyne Siino was on the mound for pitching duties during the first game. The first inning contained action packed moments with two diving catches by outfielder Skye Lee and a wild pitch that gave the Dons a 1-0 lead.

That lead did not last long after LMC’s second baseman Mary Borlongan scored RBI doubles and Lee followed with a one-run single to gain control of the game in the first inning with a 4-1 score.

Siino’s efforts kept the bats silent and the Mustangs scored three more runs, giving them a 7-1 lead through three innings.

But De Anza’s runs in the fifth and sixth innings brought them back in the game. Ultimately, the Dons took charge by getting six runs in the top of seventh, which ended in them winning the first game of the doubleheader 9-7.

LMC’s loss, however, did not break their determination. Mary Borlongan took over the mound in the second game and was immediately off to a hot star by retiring De Anza’s first three batters.

Yet the Dons drew first blood again getting four runs touching home base. The Mustangs countered well and big with singles by Borlongan and Lee, a double by Siino and a deep two run homer by third baseman Ashley Derby that made the score 6-4 after three innings.

A minor hiccup at the top of the seventh gave the Dons a bit of hope to come back again but the LMC’s team efforts and strength lead them to a 10-5 final score.

“We should’ve won the first game but we let it slip away,” said head coach Tim Rognlien, “but the second game we came out swinging and had good defense.”

Last year’s 6-12 team placed third out of fourth place in the Bay Valley Conference but looks to accomplish more in the upcoming season.

“We’re proud of the kids, they’ve been training and working hard and we’ll see what happens and what we’re going to do in the preseason,” said Rognlien.

The softball team will visit Modesto Junior College for their next game Monday, Feb. 12. For more information visit http://www.losmedanos.edu/softball/.