The Vikings face San Joaquin Delta at the first game of the 3C2A Softball Championship

To end the first day of the first round of the 3C2A Softball Championship, the 33–11-1 Vikings faced San Joaquin Delta, who entered the matchup with an almost exact record of 33–12. The Vikings lost 9-3. 

The first inning was scoreless for both teams, but in the bottom of the second, San Joaquin scored four runs. 

“My main focus when I started pitching was to hit my spot to let my hitter hit so my defense could work,” pitcher Ella Haugo said.

Haugo went 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and then Adalise Valenzuela came in for the rest of the game, allowing four runs on four hits.

Head coach Megan Martinez shared why they switched.“If you’ve been following us you know that we like to let our pitchers get a break and keep a rotation.”  

Delta’s pitcher, Elisa Galli, had a very strong night, going all seven innings with only five hits.  Galli led her team to 27 wins the season. 

“As the catcher I try my best to keep my pitchers in the game no matter the score and get them to laugh and smile through the ups and down,” catcher Zara Mineo said. 

With defense still being a key factor in this matchup, both teams held firm during the third inning with neither team scoring a run.

Going into the fourth inning, Haugo hit a home run to give the Vikings some energy, scoring their first run of the game. 

Delta’s defense held strong, only allowing LBCC to score one run in the fourth inning. 

The Vikings let the lead slip away heading into the fifth inning, giving up four runs to end the inning, leaving the score at 8-1. 

Outfielder Lela Asi and Haugo hit home runs in the sixth inning to make the score 8- 3, but Delta’s center fielder, Kiana Mazza, hit a single, scoring a runner at the end of the sixth inning.

LBCC failed to score in the seventh to take a chance at a comeback. 

“We are proud of ourselves. This is the first time since 2001 that LBCC has been to the state championship,” Martinez said. 

The Vikings closed out an amazing season by winning regionals and going 33-11-1, with high hopes for the future of the team.