CSM softball off to undefeated start

Katie Johnson, a sophomore out of Notre Dame-Belmont, and Selena Gonzales each had a three-run homer in the first contest. Gonzales ended it the game, as well, scoring on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.

Gianna Tassio, a sophomore from Terra Nova, pitched the first three innings for her first win.

 In the next game, Alyssa Green had a two-run homer in the second inning that gave CSM a 10-0 margin early. She had a sacrifice fly for a third RBI in the game. 

Rio Castillo, a sophomore from Mills, also had three RBIs. Ale Phillips and Peyton Huber each had two RBIs and hit two of the Bulldogs’ five doubles.

Starting pitcher Lola Sierra, a freshman from Capuchino, took her second win on the mound, sharing the shutout with reliever Marilyn Rivas.

Huber, a shortstop, went 3 for 3 at the plate, scoring four times and tallying four RBIs — raising her season batting average to .667. Huber is also hitting .667, while Green is at .600.

This week San Mateo travels to state No. 8 San Joaquin Delta in Stockton for the Mustangs’ opener Thursday before the Bulldogs return home to host a pair of teams on the weekend—Feather River (3-1) on Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by a Saturday 2 p.m. game with Sacramento CC (1-3).

Skyline women host CCSF in conference showdown

Skyline hosts City College of San Francisco at 5 p.m. Wednesday, with the winner having the inside track to the Coast North title.

Skyline (4-0 Coast North, 16-6 overall) won the first-round meeting, 55-53, in San Francisco. This week’s state coaches rankings have CCSF No. 18 and Skyline out of the top 25, although Skyline has won eight of its last 10 games overall.

Third place College of San Mateo (2-2, 9-13) plays at last place Foothill (0-4, 3-18) Wednesday at 5 p.m.

 CCSF won the first round second place decider with CSM, 74-54, last Wednesday, while Skyline took a 61-36 crossover romp over Monterey Peninsula.

 Friday’s upcoming games are crossovers with Coast South teams. Coast South leader Hartnell (4-0, 12-9) plays at Skyline at 5 p.m. CSM goes to Monterey Peninsula (0-3, 1-18) at 7 p.m.

Local CC men’s basketball enters stretch run

February marks the home stretch for local community college basketball, with the second half of Coast North men’s play in full swing.

CSM (3-5 Coast North, 15-7 overall), after taking a 68-64, second-half opening win over visiting Ohlone-Fremont Friday, hosts 21st-ranked Chabot-Hayward (5-3, 16-6) at 7 p.m. Wednesday. CSM beat the Gladiators in overtime, 77-75, in their first meeting this season.

 Skyline (1-7, 9-13) visits Ohlone at 6 p.m.Wednesday before hosting CSM at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs won the first-round meeting, 67-64, closing on a 7-0 run. Skyline got a much needed win last Wednesday over De Anza, 83-79, but lost a close 60-58 contest with Chabot Friday.

Cañada (3-5, 9-13) is tied for fourth place in the Coast North with CSM, having defeated the Bulldogs, 78-71, last Wednesday in a first-half finale. The Colts stumbled, however, in their Friday meeting with eighth-ranked Las Positas, 89-60. It does not get any easier in the loaded Coast North as Cañada goes to state No. 1 City College of San Francisco (8-0, 21-1), the defending state champions, at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Colts host De Anza (3-5, 9-13) on Friday at 5 p.m.