Reports From LBCC
The Long Beach City College softball team held off a late-game rally to escape with a 4-3 non-conference win over visiting Santiago Canyon College on Monday at LBCC.
The win snapped the Vikings’ two-game losing streak and improved their record to 10-6 overall.
LBCC freshman Jessica Davis appeared to be on her way to a shutout but had to overcome a pair of Viking errors that led to three unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning.
A two-out, RBI double by Santiago Canyons’ Ashley Flatten chased Davis from the game and put the potential tying run on second.
But freshman relief pitcher Renee Caballero needed just one pitch to retire SCC’s Courtney Aden on a groundout to third base to close the ball game and earn her first save of the season.
Long Beach took a 1-0 lead early, thanks to a two-out Santiago Canyon error that allowed freshman first baseman Michelle Contreras to score.
The Vikings rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman second baseman Desiree Villegas led off with a double down the left-field line and advanced to third on a bunt single by freshman center fielder Anissa Noland.
Sophomore catcher Majella Friel’s groundout to first brought home Villegas and freshman shortstop Melissa Schaefer’s sacrifice fly to left field allowed Noland to come in.
LBCC capped its scoring with its final run in the sixth. With two outs, freshman third baseman Brittany Holden beat out an infield single and promptly stole second base. Sophomore designated player Dora Hogue followed that with a RBI single to right field to give LBCC a much-needed insurance run and the 4-0 lead.
Davis improved to 5-2 with the win. She allowed five hits and three unearned runs in 6 2/3 innings. She struck out two and walked two.
Freshman left fielder Karina Veit was 2 for 4 to lead LBCC at the plate.
Kayla Nash earned the loss for Santiago Canyon (8-12). She allowed seven hits and four runs (two earned) in six innings. Center fielder Heather Hunt was 2 for 3 with a run to lead the Hawks’ offense.
Long Beach is back in action on Thursday (Mar. 4) with the second of three straight home games. The Vikings return to South Coast Conference play with a 3 p.m. game against Mt. San Antonio College and host Antelope Valley College in a non-conference contest on Friday at 2:30 p.m.