Reports From LBCC
The Long Beach City College softball team rallied for five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to come from behind to defeat visiting Antelope Valley College by a final score of 5-3 in a non-conference game at LBCC on Friday.
The win improved the Vikings to 11-7 overall. LBCC is 9-3 in non-conference games this season.
Antelope Valley broke open the scoring with three runs in the top of the fourth off LBCC freshman Jessica Davis. The big blow of the inning was a two-run double down the left-field line by Mindy Greenwaldt that gave AVC a 3-0 advantage.
But Long Beach came right back in the bottom of the inning with its outburst.
Freshman second baseman Desiree Villegas’ fly ball to left was dropped by Cherstin Dahlin which allowed her to reach second base to lead off the inning. Villegas went to third on a wild pitch by Antelope Valley’s Marisa Anchondo and promptly came in to score on a base hit up the middle by freshman shortstop Melissa Schaefer.
Freshman first baseman Michelle Contreras followed that with a single to left and both runners were moved over on a sacrifice bunt by freshman designated player Brittney Holden. Pinch hitter Monique Ogata was hit by an Anchondo pitch to load the bases, and back-back walks by sophomore catcher Majella Friel and freshman left fielder Karina Veit forced in two more runs.
Sophomore right fielder Dora Hogue lined a single to left to bring in Ogata and freshman Anissa Noland closed out the scoring with a sacrifice fly to drive in Friel with the Vikings’ final run.
Freshman Renee Caballero came in to toss three innings of hitless relief in earning her second save of the season. She struck out two and walked one.
Davis earned the win to improve to 6-2. She allowed nine hits and three runs (two earned) over four innings.
For Antelope Valley (10-5), Anchondo took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) and four hits over 3 1/3 innings. Greenwaldt was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI to lead the Marauders at the plate.
Long Beach returns to South Coast Conference action on Tuesday (Mar. 9) when it travels to Pasadena City College for a 3 p.m. game.