Photo of Breedlove by Chris Ruiz
LBCC pitcher Lance Breedlove has accepted a scholarship offer to Purdue University after a stellar first year with the Vikings.
At a time of the year when the Long Beach City College Vikings’ baseball team is normally preparing for their annual playoff run, Breedlove was one of the few bright spots for the team. The Vikings finished with a 12-9 record in South Coast Conference play this season, failing to secure a playoff spot.
Breedlove finished with a 2-4 record to go with a 3.00 earned run average. In his nine starts, Breedlove threw 63 innings and registered 51 strikeouts with only 16 walks.
“He came out from the get-go and pitched really well for us,” said Vikings coach Casey Crooks. “He gave his best stuff for us every time out there. I think you’d have to say he was our best pitcher throughout the year. In fact, [his teammates] voted him the team’s pitcher of the year.”
This was all quite an accomplishment considering Breedlove was a little-used relief pitcher on a 14-26-2 Golden West College team last year.
“We knew he had decent stuff but we knew he hadn’t had a very productive year at Golden West, so there were some questions marks,” said Crooks.
Breedlove transferred to LBCC because of the difference in quality of coaching as well as playing time.
“At Golden West I knew what I could do, but they just didn’t give me the chance,” said Breedlove. “I decided to come to [LBCC] since I knew the coach here.”
Before heading to Golden West for college ball Breedlove pitched in high school at Los Al. Ironically, he was cut twice in high school and when he was on the team he didn’t begin pitching till just before his senior season.
“I actually got cut after my freshman year and then I tried out after and got back on the team,” said Breedlove. “Then I got cut after my sophomore year as well and then I worked hard and tried out again and made it.”
Good thing he never gave up. Now Breedlove is on his way to Purdue to extend his pitching career.
