Softball: Homeruns hurt Long Beach in 7-4 SCC loss to No. 4 Mt. SAC

The Long Beach City College softball team suffered a 7-4 South Coast Conference loss to visiting Mt. San Antonio College on Tuesday at LBCC.

The loss dropped the Vikings to 19-11-1 overall and 9-6 in the SCC while No. 4 state-ranked Mt. SAC improved to 23-2 and 14-1 in conference play.

Mt. SAC designated player Ashlynn Booker smashed a pair of homeruns and drove in three runs to lead the Mounties' offense. Booker hit a two-run shot in the top of the first to put Mt. SAC up 2-0 early and added a solo homerun in the top of the sixth to close out the game's scoring.

Down 2-0, the Vikings answered with two runs to tie it in the bottom of the first.

First baseman Michelle Contreras (Norwalk HS) led off the frame with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by center fielder Dani Hannan (El Segundo HS). Second baseman Desiree Villegas' (El Rancho HS) bunt single moved Contreras to third which allowed designated player Cassie Garcia (Banning HS) to drive in the run with a ground out.

Right fielder Brittany Holden (Big Bear HS) followed with a single to right to bring in Villegas for LBCC's second run.  

The Mounties added two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to jump ahead 6-2. But Long Beach cut into the lead once again in the bottom of the fifth.

Left fielder Karina Veit (Newport Harbor HS) led off with a walk and moved to third on a double by Contreras. Hannan followed with a line drive single off the glove of Mt. SAC first baseman Alyssa Gonzales to plate both runs.

Long Beach looked for a big inning after another Villegas single put runners on first and third with no outs. But Mt. SAC pitcher Alexa Limon got Garcia and Holden to hit infield pop outs and got shortstop Melissa Schaefer to fly out to left to end the threat.

Freshman Justine Meddings (Kennedy HS) took the loss for Long Beach. She allowed four runs and six hits over four innings. Freshman Angela Arias (Western HS) gave up one earned run and two hits over the final three innings.

Contreras (2 for 3, 2 runs), Hannan (2 for 3, 2 RBI), and Villegas (2 for 4, 1 run) all had two hits for Long Beach.

Limon struck out eight in the complete-game win. She allowed four runs and eight hits.

The Vikings return to action on Thursday when they travel to Pasadena City College for a 2 p.m. South Coast Conference game.