LBCC’s baseball team wins first two games in series against Compton City College

The Vikings played against Compton City College Tuesday and won 9-8, making their overall record 11-18. 

The Vikings started off strong against Compton in the first inning when Garret Rodriguez grounded out to first base which allowed catcher Enrique Lopez advanced to third and center fielder Myles Fendrick scored, making it 1-0. 

By the end of the inning, the Vikings made the score 2-0 after Lopez was able to score off a single from right fielder Aaron Mingo. 

The Vikings and Compton had the same score up until the fifth when third basemen Eshua Desai homered, making it 5-0.

“We had one inning where it was baseloaded and we didn’t get anything out of it so we definitely need to capitalize on those opportunities when they’re presented and definitely need to go play just better defense” said Vikings head coach Phillip Visco. 

In the sixth and seventh inning, Compton started building momentum, scoring all of their team runs. 

“Things got tough when we lost our lead atmosphere just for a little bit, hitting that homerun kind of like brought us back to life…we kind of put the pieces back together and got it done for the win” said pitcher Ben Howard. 

In a battle where the chances seemed slightly doubtful, the Vikings managed to pick themselves back up in the eighth inning when Aaron Mingo singled, moving Rodriguez to second, and Lopez scored—making the score 8-6. 

In that same inning, Eshua Desai hit another home run, scoring three to make it 9-8. 

“Once our bullpen came in and started locking in, we just figured it out. I think the walks and stuff limit us. Once we figure out our pitches we’ll be fine,” said Mingo. 

While the Vikings were celebrating this home run, Desai was running to first base, where he injured his knee. 

Mingo said that some of his teammates have that brotherly bond that keeps the team as strong as it is, so seeing one of his teammates get injured was something disappointing to see. 

While Desai got an injury, the Vikings were still able to move forward and play not only for themselves, but for the teammate who helped build their score that eventually led to their win against Compton. 

The next game will be against Victor Valley, at Victor Valley, on Tuesday at 2 p.m.