The Vikings’ bats stayed hot and lifted them to a 10-2 victory over LA Valley on Friday.
Sophomore starting pitcher Ashley Hester got the win on the mound throwing 3 innings and giving up 2 earned runs on 4 hits with 4 strikeouts.
Hester gave up back-to-back singles to open up the game, but then proceeded to retire 7 straight batters.
Sophomore outfielder Kirstin Sanchez started the scoring early with an RBI double in the first, putting the Vikings up 1-0.
Sanchez would then score on a throwing error by LA Valley’s pitcher Isabel Ward, giving the Vikings a 2-0 lead.
The scoring for the Vikings would continue in the second with an RBI single by sophomore outfielder Alia Marquez.
Walks became costly for Hester as she walked two hitters in the third that led to two runs for LA Valley, making the score 3-2.
The Vikings would respond immediately with a seven-run third inning highlighted by a bases-clearing double from freshman catcher Breanna Lucero, bringing the score to 10-2.
“I was just thinking of getting a base hit. I was looking for the best pitch I could get, the first pitch was a strike so I just swung,” said Lucero.
At the end of the third every starter for the Vikings had reached base safely.
“It’s early in the year and we like to catch a rhythm. We wanted to use today to take advantage of getting our bats going and feeling confident as we head into conference play next week,” said Vikings Head Coach Megan Martinez.
Sophomore pitcher Olivia Ramirez came on in relief and threw a perfect fourth and fifth inning retiring all six batters she faced, and striking out three.
Ramirez’s efforts closed out the game for the Vikings and secured them the dominant 10-2 win.
The Vikings started off the season losing three straight, but have won four out of their last five games.
When asked about the quick turnaround, Martinez said, “I gave us a tough schedule in the beginning because I wanted our freshmen to learn what it’s like being in our conference and in playoffs, we’re a postseason type of team. I knew the beginning would be rough but we caught our rhythm and we’re excited.”
The Vikings’ next game is on Tuesday, March, 21st at Santa Ana College.