The Long Beach City College Vikings softball team suffered their first loss of the season on Tuesday, March 19 after Mt. San Antonio City College was able to take an early lead and then ended the game with a score of 10-1.
LBCC was slow to adjust to Mt. SACC’s pitcher Alexia Silva, with her high velocity pitches and consistent rise-balls through the first five innings.
With Mt. SACC’s defense being supported by their pitcher, this allowed Mt. SACC’s offense to get going, and player Jessika Trujillo hit a double to left field which allowed Vicky Gutierrez and Gabby Estrada to score the first runs of the game for Mt. SACC in the bottom of the third inning.
Mt. SACC extended this initial lead when player Adriana Ramirez hit a single to center field advancing to second on the throw, allowing Jessika Trujillo to score again in the third inning.
After the high scoring third inning, Vikings pitcher Joette Vega substituted for Noleany Benitez in the fourth inning, and played for the rest of the game.
LBCC made visible batting adjustments moving into the fourth inning, but were unable to find any strong offensive going into the fifth inning.
Viking Jade Wittman fought back in the sixth inning scoring the first run on a passed ball.
Mt. SACC player Charleen Macias singled to left field, sending Vicky Gutierrez to home plate at the top of the seventh inning.
After the game the team reflected on their performance,
“This pitcher was more consistent, her rise balls really got to us because we weren’t adjusting in the box,” said Ileana Rivera.
According to coach Megan Martinez, that despite their first loss, the LBCC players “Came together, they never let each other down, they had each other’s back. And that’s really important for us,” said Martinez.
Viking player Alora Murray contributed to the positive team atmosphere after the game by talking up the coaching staff.
“The coaches get us, and let us play the game,” said Murray.
The LBCC Vikings now prepare to play Cerro Coso on March 1, and Orange Coast College on March 4, both of which are at home.