Softball ace pitcher Ella Haugo leads her team to a victory with a no-hitter against L.A. Harbor 

Starting pitcher Ella Haugo pitched a no-hitter and a complete game on April 17 against L.A. Harbor in a blowout 10-0 win. 

The Vikings started scoring quickly with a sacrifice fly from outfielder Riannah Maulupe to score catcher Zara Mineo to make it 1-0. 

Mineo was first in the batting order and opened the game with a single and a stolen base. 

The Vikings were able to increase their lead with a couple of singles and an error committed by L.A. Harbor, which then led to Mineo, third baseman Michelle Cervantes, and first baseman Natania Leomiti to score, extending their lead to 5-0 in the second inning.

The Vikings would add five more runs in the top of the fourth inning, led by a three hit performance from Mineo, and a two run double from shortstop Madison Fao, making the score 10-0, enforcing the mercy rule in effect. 

Starting pitcher Ella Haugo had a spectacular day on the mound, striking out 6 batters, and giving up 0 hits, giving her the first no hitter of her young college career. 

“I didn’t know that it was a full no hitter, I just really hit my spots in the zone. I think that I don’t need to overpower anything with speed or anything, and since I’ve been pitching so much, I just need to hit my spots, cause that’ll do enough, and you just have to get the corners as well,” said Haugo.

Coach Martinez had some things to say about her team’s performance the past month and how they will be ready for the playoffs next month.

“We just approach every game like it’s the national championship, like it’s the playoffs, like it’s the state championship game, so we know that we take every opponent very seriously and we prepare for them in the same way,” said Martinez.

Coach Martinez also talked about how the winning streak started, and how it has turned their season around for them with the streak that they currently have right now, which is at 12 straight wins.

“We met up for dinner that night around a bonfire and we just talked about our why and why we’re out here, the team decided they wanted to play for each other instead of themselves, so they really wanted to just play as a good teammate. So our motto was to be a good teammate. They just wanted to play for each other. They feel really fortunate to play at such a beautiful field,” said Martinez.

Natania Leomiti also had some comments about her performance and how the team has been special to her this year.

“Offensively, I could’ve been better and done a lot better. Yes, I had some barrels, but there is always room for improvement, so I think I’ve done all right on offense,” said Leomiti.

“At first I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to come out here (LBCC), but like once I got here, I just love the environment, just everyone here, just the high level of softball, the high level IQ, just everything about this here suits. We’re definitely gonna be ready for the playoffs.

LBCC played its last game of the regular season at home on Tuesday with a loss to El Camino, ending the season with an overall record of 29-9, and 15-6 in conference. 

LBCC now prepares for regionals, which start Friday at 2 p.m., at LBCC vs Chaffey.