The No. 4-seeded Long Beach City College softball team earned a spot in next weekend’s state championship tournament, but needed two games on Sunday to capture its Super Regional series over No. 5 Saddleback College.

After downing Saddleback 1-0 on Saturday in game one, LBCC dropped game two by a final score of 5-4 before bouncing back with a 3-1 win in game three.

The Vikings return to the state championships for the first time since 2003. LBCC looks to capture its third overall state title after winning it all in 1995 and 2001.

In game two on Sunday, a crucial two-out error in the top of the fourth inning led to four unearned runs off LBCC starting pitcher Christine Gonzalez.  Saddleback capitalized on the error with four straight singles to jump out to a 4-1 lead.

Saddleback added another two-out run in the top of the sixth to go up 5-1, which proved to be big.  The Vikings got themselves back in the game by rallying for three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

LBCC opened up the frame with consecutive singles by Majella Friel, Jessica Amador, and Alyssa Belmotes off Saddleback starter Lauren Molina. Belmotes drove in Friel and Karina Martinez’ ground out to third brought in Amador.

The Gauchos then replaced Molina with reliever Dana Hermocillo. On her second pitch to Rose Vargas, an illegal pitch was called and Belmotes was awarded home plate to cut Saddleback’s lead to 5-4.

Long Beach nearly came back in the bottom of the seventh to win the ball game.
Vanessa Samudio, Gonzalez, and Amador all singled to load the bases with one out. But Belmontes’ line drive smash was snagged by Saddleback first baseman Kristin Harm and she stepped on the first for a game-ending double-play.

Gonzalez earned the loss for LBCC to drop to 9-4 overall. She allowed nine hits and five runs (one earned) in the complete-game effort.  Molina (20-12) earned the win after giving up four runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. Hermocillo picked up her first save of the season.

But Long Beach’s late second-game momentum carried over into game three. The Vikings came out swinging against Hermocillo, who started game three.

Vargas led off the bottom of the first with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Christine Garcia. Veronica Pando then reached base on a fielder’s choice that allowed Vargas to move to third.  Samudio then smashed a double off the fence in right-center field to drive in Vargas.

Hermocillo was then replaced by Molina in the circle. After a walk to Gonzalez, Molina struck out Friel and Amador with the bases loaded to end the threat.

The Vikings finally broke the game open in the bottom of the third.  Pando drew a one-out walk and Samudio singled to start the rally. Gonzalez then reached base after Pando was forced out on a fielder’s choice.

But with two out, Friel came up with a huge two-run triple to the right-center field gap to give LBCC a 3-0 lead.

Long Beach starter Sadie Barton was cruising through the Saddleback lineup. After facing four batters in the first, Barton faced the minimum and at one point retired 13 straight batters.

But things got interesting in the top of the seventh for Long Beach.  After getting a pair of quick outs, Molina hit a deep drive to left field that Samudio lost in the sun and fell for a double. A pair of dropped infield fly balls extended the inning and allowed Molina to score and also bring the potential go-ahead run to the plate.  But Barton got Blyth Ashby to ground out to second to end the contest and set off the Long Beach celebration.

Barton earned the win to improve to 21-7 overall. She allowed just four hits and an unearned run. Vargas (2 for 4) and Samudio (2 for 3) led the Vikings at the plate.

Hermocillo (5-1) was credited with the loss after allowing the first-inning run. Molina pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up five hits and two runs. Saddleback closes its season with a 35-14 overall record.

Long Beach (32-13-1) advances to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Fastpitch Softball Championships on May 16-18 at Orange Terrace Park in Riverside. The Vikings will face the North’s No. 1 seed College of the Siskiyous on Friday.

Earlier this season, Siskiyous defeated Long Beach 5-0 at the Fresno City College tournament on March 9.

Story provided by Chris Ruiz, for more information click here.