Despite two RBIs hit by pitcher Max Ghiglieri in the first inning, the Vikings closed their 2025 South Coast Conference baseball season with an 11-3 at home loss against Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) on Friday, finishing with a 12-12 conference record.
According to available records, the current loss streak of eight is the longest the program has seen since 2007.
Six pitchers took the mound, beginning with Ghiglieri, followed by Cesar Corrales, Logan Carr, Benjamin Dorantes, Niko Riera, and ending with Johann Gibbs.
Head coach Casey Crook would encourage pitchers to capitalize on fastballs, but pitchers would begin losing their rhythm once balls started adding up, leaving the bases loaded on six occasions.
“We haven’t been playing very well, and that’s the best team we’ve played all year, so it wasn’t a very good matchup. Pitching has been a little thin lately, but a couple of guys pitched some good innings. We just couldn’t string it together,” Crook said.
Ghiglieri was substituted during the top of the second inning after two HBPs in the first, followed by two wild balls that catcher Eduardo Diaz couldn’t anticipate, which set up two runs for Mt. SAC.
Later during the fourth inning, Ghiglieri had hit the ball deep into center field but skipped over first base during his run.
Pitcher Max Ghiglieri approaching home while being informed that his run is ruled out due to him skipping first base during his run. (Rafael Gomez)
Despite making it to third, Ghiglieri’s run was ruled out, and was sent back to the dugout.
“It’s been tough for me, especially to go out there having the defense behind me consistently for every pitch of the game… I ended up on third base but I did miss first base, which was a mental mistake. I should’ve went back and touched it but instead I just played it through,” said Ghiglieri.
First baseman Aaron Mingo had missed a ball thrown too high by Ghiglieri during the second inning that gave Mt. SAC four runs.
Mingo appeared frustrated until the bottom of the sixth inning after he missed another catch, but made up for it by securing a double play, with assistant coach Josh Frye having said, “Big leaders make mistakes, it’s gonna happen.”
“I try my best to be a leader, be a good example for my teammates. I just gotta remember that I’m human. I’m gonna make mistakes, it just matters how I move on for the future. Our defense is gonna be shaky sometimes here and there, but we’ll figure it out,” said Mingo.
After the game, Crook’s conversation with the team was quick and to the point.
“There’s still a chance we get into the playoffs, so we’ll meet on Monday and figure out if we’re gonna keep practicing and playing, or if we’re going to wrap up the season,” said Crook.
As of Monday the Vikings were confirmed to have made playoffs, and are set to play against Glendale Community College on May 2 and 3.