The Vikings struggled on the defensive end leading to a 5-2 loss to East Los Angeles College in the second game of the series on Tuesday.
After a scoreless first inning, Vikings starting pitcher Jon Lopez lost the feel for the strike zone. He walked five players in his four innings of work.
With two runners on, Huskies’ catcher Daniel Vierra’s ground ball brought in two runs on a throwing error from LBCC second baseman Evan Vazquez.
The game remained 2-0 until the top of the 5th when a double towards right field from freshman Alex Solis brought in another Husky run. Sophomore reliever James Paul came into the game and got a double play to limit the damage.
A single at the bottom of the 5th by Vikings first baseman William Schwab, and a couple of walks by catcher Malik Clayton and outfielder Xander McLaurin, loaded the bases for the Vikings.
Banuelos was able to bare down and strike out freshman Ryan Geck to hold the shutout for the Huskies.
At the top of the sixth, the Huskies rallied and loaded the bases on a HBP and two walks. Freshman Jorge Amador came in to relieve Paul with one out. A wild pitch increased the Huskies’ lead to 4-0, but the freshman got two outs to stop the bleeding.
The Husky backstop Michael Easter tacked on one more with a double to center scoring ELAC’s final run of the game in the 7th.
The Vikings would not go down without a fight. After a walk and hits by outfielders Xander McLauren and Raul Garcia, LBCC had the bases loaded with no outs. Freshman shortstop Olin Snakeborg rolled over to third leading to a 5-6-3 double play giving the Vikings a run. A double by William Schwab cut the deficit to 5-2, but that was as close as LBCC would get.
Along with three errors, the Vikings left 10 men on base. In the 5-2 loss they outhit the Huskies 8-6.
“I feel like the other pitcher took control of the game and we just didn’t put up good swings and that’s pretty much it. We’re gonna rebound on Saturday by staying through the ball,” said Raul Garcia.
Even after a tough loss, the Vikings are set on improving their errors and working as a team to make sure to win the series.
“Today we can for sure improve on you know just baring down as a defense and kind of just playing catch and just playing the game of baseball. Everyone just needs to be on the same page and just throw strikes. We’re a good team so we’ll be alright,” said freshman outfielder AJ Quezada.
This loss puts Long Beach in third in their conference with a 12-5 record (16-17 overall). They hope to win the series with the rubber match on Saturday.
They are set to play the conference-leading El Camino Warriors at home on Tuesday the 18th.