Sophomore Christine Gonzalez tossed a one-hit shutout and freshman third baseman Valentina Nabayan drove in both Viking runs to lead the Long Beach City College softball team to a 2-0 South Coast Conference win against visiting East Los Angeles College on Thursday.
 
The win improved Long Beach to 27-9 overall and 9-4 in the SCC.
 
Gonzalez nearly earned her first career no-hitter. She cruised through six innings before allowing a leadoff single to East L.A.’s Amber Lopez in the top of the seventh inning. She struck out five and walked none to improve her record to 21-7.
 
Nabayan (2 for 3) provided all the offense the Vikings needed. She drove in sophomore center fielder Karina Martinez from second base with a first-inning single and smashed a double to center in the fifth to score sophomore catcher Alyssa Belmontes from second.
 
Vanessa Salinas pitched well in the loss for East L.A. (22-13, 3-6 SCC). She allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) over six innings.
 
Long Beach returns to action on Friday when it travels to Los Angeles Harbor College for a SCC doubleheader. Game one is scheduled for 1pm.

Report By LBCC