A year ago, Compton College endured the setbacks of bringing back its softball program after a year's absence. One of the low points was an unfortunate rout turned in by perennial state power and South Coast Conference giant Mt. San Antonio College.
That lopsided loss to the Mounties last March proved to be fuel for the fire on Thursday in this year's Compton conference opener.
The Softball Gods were looking over Compton as pitcher Destiny Vega, the same one from that 39-0 defeat in 2023, shut down the visiting Mt. SAC bats over a seven innings as Compton stunned the state #6-ranked Mounties, 3-2, in a seventh-inning, walk-off.
It was Compton's ninth consecutive win and is the first victory ever by the program over Mt. SAC, a school that has won six straight conference crowns going into this season.
Second-year head coach Victoria Castillo saw vindication in defeating the Walnut dynasty.
"Words cannot describe how I feel about this win," Castillo said. "This team is made up of really special young ladies. Each and every one of them are talented and bring something to this table. They work hard every day and believe in the process. They dug deep and played with tremendous heart today."
Compton (9-1 overall) had not won in conference play since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when it defeated LA Harbor.
Vega tossed a complete-game, 4-hitter v. Mt. SAC, walking no one while striking out three batters. Compton played near flawless defense (just one error) and took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a 2-RBI double by leftfielder Danielle Varela.
After Mt. SAC responded with two runs of its own in the fourth, the teams remained tied going into the last half of the seventh.
Compton loaded the bases on two walks and a single by designated player Elisa Solano. With one out, Varela was the hero as she laced the game-winning single off 2023 SCC Pitcher of the Year Aleyna Urbina to plate catcher Audrey Garcia and set off a celebration by the players and coaching staff.
Varela batted 3-for-3 while Vega received strong infield defense that produced 10 ground-ball outs.
Compton's hot streak to start the '24 season included a 13-10 slugfest win over Glendale on Feb. 17, and a combined no-hitter thrown by Vega (six innings) and Eleana Rocha (one inning) in a 3-0 shutout over College of the Desert on Feb. 10.
First baseman Serena Velez leads the team in batting with a .467 average while Vega is hitting .414 with a home run and 10 RBI. Second baseman Maya Benegas has a .375 average with five doubles, a HR and eight RBI while slick-fielding shorstop Venezia Uribe also has five doubles and a .321 clip.
Vega is 3-0 in the circle with a 3.23 earned run average while Rocha has been equally outstanding, earning a 4-0 pitching record with a save and a 2.36 ERA.
Compton will continue the 21-game, conference schedule with games v. Pasadena City College (at home, Feb. 23), at Long Beach City (Feb. 27).