Story By LBCC’s Chris Ruiz

The Long Beach City College baseball team suffered a 4-2 10-inning loss to visiting Irvine Valley College on Wednesday in non-conference action at Joe Hicks Memorial Field.  Long Beach held a 2-0 advantage after seven innings, but the bullpen could not hold for on the win.
 
Freshman Matt Johnson turned out an impressive pitching performance for the Vikings. He allowed no runs and scattered three hits over seven innings while walking two and striking out two in the no-decision.
 
Long Beach took a 1-0 lead in the second after freshman Josh Rush’s fielder’s choice groundout with the bases loaded brought in a run. Sophomore Trevor Costin put the Vikings up by two with a RBI single in the seventh.
 
But in the top of the eighth, sophomore Chris Mieszala allowed two runs and three hits in just 2/3 innings to put the Lasers back in the ball game.  And in the 10th, Corey Thibault’s two-run single off LBCC sophomore Scott Watson proved to be the game-winner.
 
Costin led the Vikings at the plate, going 3 for 5 with a RBI. Watson (0-2) earned the loss, allowing two runs and three hits in 2 1/3 innings.
 
The loss dropped Long Beach to 4-4. The Vikings return to action on Friday (Feb. 13) when they host Riverside Community College in a 2 p.m. non-conference game.