Mt. San Antonio starting pitcher Vannessa Hawks shuts out the Vikings in 4-0 loss at LBCC softball field in conference play Thursday afternoon.
The Vikings continue their rough streak after ending Tuesdays game in a 6-6 tie and losing 4 of their last 7 games.
The Vikings found themselves in a one run hole after the second inning when Mt. San Antonio second baseman Desiree Morales collected an RBI base hit to center field.
Starting pitcher Adalise Valenzuela was taken out after surrendering her only run and loading the bases with one out.
Relief pitcher Lauren Cervantes was put in and escaped the jam after a force out throw at home and a pop out along the right field line.
Cervantes would get through the third and fourth innings cleanly before giving up three runs in the fifth when Mt. San Antonio first baseman Emily Sandoval smacked a two RBI double all the way to right field and scored herself on a double by left fielder Sophia Avina.
“I think simply not hitting that corner, that river of the plate. I think it’s simple as that, just me kind of putting it too much on the plate and I take full accountability for that and I just have to keep working harder,” said Cervantes.
On the offensive side for the Vikings, their bats were completely silenced by Hawks, who went a complete game.
The Vikings only got two baserunners the whole game, one in the first inning and one in the second, with designated hitter Riannah Maulupe lining into a double play to first base in the second.
Hawks sat down the next 16 Vikings batters.
Head coach Megan Martinez shared her own thoughts about an error she believes she made.
“Maybe I left her [Cervantes] in too long, … and she just missed her spot, and we had to score runs anyway, so I’m not going to put it on our pitchers at all,” said Martinez.
Catcher Zara Menio still retains confidence in her team and explains the mindset that has fueled their current 11-5 record.
“We say it all the time, we have your back no matter what situation we’re in. If it’s a 15-0 game, we always have each other’s backs,” said Menio.
The Vikings hit the road for game against Cerritos, Tuesday at 2 p.m.
