Vikings strand 10 runners, commit three errors in 6-2 loss to East Los Angeles

In a game that head coach Melissa Angel would soon like to forget, Long Beach City College lost 6-2 to visiting East Los Angeles College in a South Coast Conference matchup at LBCC on Thursday.

Coming off a tough 12-11 loss at Mt. San Antonio College on Wednesday, the Vikings left 10 runners on base and committed three errors in today's setback to East LA.

East LA jumped on LBCC starting pitcher Natalie Ayala (Torrance HS) for two runs in the first and added single runs in the second and third to storm out to a 4-0 lead.

Long Beach finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when they loaded the bases with no outs. Walks to freshmen Cassie Demers (Mary Star of the Sea HS) and Rayleen Pallan (California HS) by ELAC starter Alashnee Medina forced in two runs, but LBCC couldn't get the big hit to extend the inning. The Vikings left the bases full and trailed 4-2 before East LA added two more insurance runs in the sixth.

Ayala was wild in her start as she issued four walks and tossed three wild pitches. She took the loss to fall to 6-4 as she allowed four runs (three earned) and three hits over three innings.

Freshman Mary Gonzales (Banning HS) pitched well in relief. She allowed two runs and three hits over the final four innings. Gonzales also led the Vikings at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double.

Medina earned the complete-game win for East Los Angeles (9-4, 5-2 SCC). She allowed two runs and seven hits while striking out nine and walking three. Medina also went 2 for 4 at the plate with a team-high 2 RBI.

Long Beach, now 7-9 overall and 4-4 SCC, returns to action on Saturday (Mar 8) for a pair of games at San Diego City College. LBCC will take on Ventura College at 12 pm followed by a 2 pm game vs. San Diego City.