MHCC Softball Team Wins Home Opener; On a Hot Streak

Photos by Andrew Hull

The Mt. Hood softball team held its home opener March 15 against the Clackamas Community College Cougars, picking up where it left off last season by easily winning both contests.

Based on last year’s win/loss record of 39-9, many fans predicted the Saints would be good again this year. They did not disappoint against Clackamas, winning 9-4, and 15-1.

Mt. Hood took control of the first game with three runs in the third inning and six more in the fourth. Saints starting pitcher Bella Carazo came out strong against the Cougars, allowing just two hits and racking up four strikeouts. Center fielder Ava Carroll and second baseman Madison Walker each scored two runs and had one base hit, as the Saints pounded Analisa Zamore, starting pitcher for Clackamas, for 11 hits and nine runs total.

The afternoon’s second game turned even worse for the Cougars. In five innings, Mt. Hood scored 15 runs, while Clackamas only scored one – which cut the game short, due to the Northwest Athletic Conference (and NCAA) “mercy rule,” which ends any game where one team is ahead by eight or more runs after their opponent bats in the fifth inning, or later.

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, the Mt. Hood Softball team has gone on a 25-2 run, with a 12-2 conference record, tied for first with defending NWAC champions Southwestern Oregon Community College. The only two losses came against SWOCC and Lower Columbia Community College. Surprisingly, the Saints are 9-0 in away games and 6-2 in home games (including two “home” games played at Camas High School).

Fans should mark their calendars for the next home doubleheader on Saturday, April 27, when Mt. Hood will face off against Grays Harbor. The first game is set for 12 p.m., followed by the second at 2 p.m.

Whether to root for the potent softball squad or the historically solid baseball team, all fans are encouraged to come out and show their support for our MHCC athletes.