A stellar offensive effort from the Vikings in the bottom of the 5th inning led to a 6-5 win over Cerritos College on April 27.
The first four innings of the game were scoreless after a great defensive showcase from both teams.
First baseman William Schwab started off the bottom of the 5th with a double to center field. The next batter Raul Garcia was hit by a pitch. Freshman Danny Rodriguez came up and reached on an error loading the bases. A walk by freshman outfielder Xander McLaurin allowed for Schwab to score the game’s first run.
A huge two RBI double from sophomore catcher Malik Clayton brought in Garcia and Rodriguez giving the Vikings a 3-0 lead. A passed ball allowed for LBCC to tack on one more.
“In those types of situations I don’t think any pitcher is better than me and I just think that if you throw me anything over the plate I’m gonna do damage. And with runners on that’s all I think about doing. Doing damage,” Clayton said.
A two RBI single from Cerritos’ Andy Vega in the top of the 7th inning cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Vikings were able to get those runs right back as both Danny Rodriguez and Reef Danner reached base. Back to back wild pitches brought in Rodriguez and sent Danner to third.
A crucial RBI single by freshman utility Ryan Geck brought in Danner in what would be the Vikings’ final run of the game. They led 6-2 going into the 8th.
The Falcons would rally with three additional runs after a huge double from sophomore Andy Vega, a two RBI triple from outfielder Nico Briones., and an RBI single from sophomore first baseman Dean Ormonde.
That was as close as the Falcons would get as freshman reliever Jorge Amador was able to get the game-ending double play in a 6-5 victory.
LBCC would then beat Cerritos 6-2 on April 28 to clinch a spot in the CCCAA playoffs, bringing their record to 20-20 and 16-8 in conference play.
When asked about a playoff run Amador said, “I think if we hit to our best ability and pitch to our best ability consistently there’s no team that can beat us.”
The Vikings open up against Saddleback in a best of three game series on Friday.