The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Daily Journal and is being reprinted with permission.

A year ago, the College of San Mateo softball team advanced to the community college state championship tournament by virtue of its pitching. This year, it was the bats that propelled the Lady Bulldogs back to Mt. San Antonio College.

CSM finished off a sweep of Sacramento City College in the California Community College Super Regional tournament with a 16-5 mercy-rule win Saturday at Bulldog Stadium.

The Lady Bulldogs rallied for seven runs in the first inning and added eight in the second, while totaling 16 hits on the day.

Sophomore leadoff hitter Allie Stines was 3 for 3 with an RBI, and freshman second baseman Aubrie Businger went 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Mackenzie Driscoll and Ally Sarabia each hit home runs, and Sarabia totaled a team-high four RBIs. Sophomore right fielder Gaby Zucchiatti added three RBIs.

CSM opened the best-of-three series Friday with a 9-7 win, overcoming an early 5-0 deficit by sending 12 batters to the plate amid a seven-run fifth inning.

The Bulldogs have now won 16 straight, matching their best win streak of the year.

This marks the sixth straight year CSM has advanced the state tourney, though the Bulldogs have yet to bring home a CCCAA title.

Play opens Thursday with the Bulldogs seeded No. 1 in the north. CSM will take on the south’s No. 4 team, El Camino, at Mt. San Antonio College at 1:30 p.m. The double-elimination tournament concludes Sunday with play starting at noon.

The state tournament field rounds out with Sierra (No. 2 north), Ohlone (No. 3 north), San Joaquin Delta (No. 4 north), Palomar (No. 1 south), Mt. San Antonio (No. 2 south) and Cypress (No. 3 south).

Cypress is the defending champion, having won the program’s ninth all-time title last season.