The Vikings put up seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings to hold off Pasadena 7-3 on Sophomore Day on Tuesday.
Sophomore starter Olivia Ramirez earned the win with her six innings of work in her last home start of her LBCC career. She gave up two runs on five hits while striking out four.
“It was a really emotional day for me. It meant a lot to be able to get the start out here. I struggled a little bit, but at the end of the day I remembered how big of a game it was and I had to dig down deep to figure out what I needed to do. It was a very emotional day for me, but I had a good time,” Ramirez said.
Pasadena scored first on a two out two run double in the third inning, but were held scoreless until the seventh.
With two outs and no one on in the fourth, freshman second baseman Jaiden Lopez recorded a hit and came around to score on another single by sophomore third baseman Alejandra Mota.
After a walk, sophomore two-way Kirstin Sanchez came to the plate with two runners on and hit a go-ahead two run double making the score 3-2 Vikings.
When asked about her at bat Sanchez responded, “I just wanted to push through for my team. I know how important it is for us to win conference games, every game counts and I wanted to have my pitchers’ back.”
Sanchez would then move to third on a wild pitch and score on a fake steal by first baseman Gladys Garcia.
The Vikings would add on to their lead in the fifth inning on a bases loaded infield single by sophomore center fielder Alia Marquez. A Pasadena throwing error allowed for three runs to score on the play extending the Vikings lead to 7-2.
Ramirez would start the seventh inning, but was taken out after allowing the first two batters to reach base. Kirstin Sanchez came in from right field tasked with getting the last three outs of the ballgame. Pasadena struck for a run, but the Vikings held on for a 7-3 victory.
“I was hungry. I was ready to come in and dominate. I was just really excited and I knew that we had it,” Sanchez said.
With this win the Vikings now have a conference record of 16-3 and an overall record of 24-9.
They hope to add onto the win column as they play No. 3 Mt. San Antonio College on Thursday.