Softball: Misaalefua homerun lifts Vikings to 2-1 win over Pasadena

Freshman left fielder Jezeree Misaalefua smashed a two-run homerun in the bottom of the sixth inning to help propel the Long Beach City College softball team to a 2-1 South Coast Conference win over visiting Pasadena City College on Tuesday at LBCC.

The victory improved the Vikings to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play while the Lancers dropped to 8-9 and 2-3 in the SCC.

The Long Beach offense couldn't really put anything together early against PCC starting pitcher Melissa Izumida. She struck out six Vikings over the first three innings and had allowed just three hits until LBCC's big inning in the sixth.

Pinch hitter Melissa Yepez got the rally started with a one-out walk before she was removed for pinch runner Alyssa Rayas. Missalefua followed with a deep shot over the fence in left-center field for the eventual game-winning runs.

Freshman Candice Shadwell had an impressive outing for the Vikings to pick up the win. She allowed just one run and scattered three hits over seven innings. Shadwell struck out six and walked two.

Pasadena scored its lone run in the top of the fourth inning. With runners on first and third with one out, Katelyn Thordarson's base hit bounced out of Misaalefua's glove as she tried to make a diving catch in shallow left to score Izumida.

Shadwell responded by retiring Sara Quintero and Vanessa Contreras on fielder's choices to halt a potential big inning by the Lancers.

Audrey Serna went 2 for 3 to lead PCC at the plate. Izumida earned the loss after allowing two runs and four hits over six innings.

Long Beach returns to action on Thursday (Feb. 28) when it travels to Los Angeles Harbor College for a 3 p.m. conference game.

Photo by Chris Ruiz