Vikings capture Compton series, remain in first-place tie in South Coast Conference

Vikings capture Compton series, remain in first-place tie in South Coast Conference
April 1, 2023

COMPTON – Looking to close out a South Coast Conference series sweep, Long Beach City College couldn't hold a late lead and came out on the losing end of a 12-11 slugfest at Compton College on Saturday.

Despite the setback, the Vikings took two out of the three games to earn the series victory and remain in a first-place tie at 11-4 with El Camino College in the South Coast Conference standings.

With Compton leading 4-2 after four innings, the two squads combined to score 17 runs over the final four frames. Down 10-8 heading to the ninth inning, the Vikings rallied for three runs to go back out in front. William Schwab smacked a two-run double and Xander McLaurin came through with a RBI-single to drive in Schwab with the go-ahead run.

But Compton completed the comeback in the bottom of the ninth, getting a two-run, walk-off home run from Robert Bueno to send the Vikings home with a loss.

Schwab went 2 for 5 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBI while McLaurin had a big game at the plate by driving in four runs with a 3 for 4 effort, including a solo home run in the seventh.

Earlier in the week, LBCC won the opening games of the series by identical scores of 9-7. Long Beach needed 11 innings to finish off Compton on Tuesday. Danny Rodriguez' two-run home run in the top of the 11th proved to be the game-winner. The Vikings also got home runs from Malik Clayton and Ryan Geck.

In Thursday's win, Long Beach totaled 15 hits, led by a 4 for 5 day at the plate by Davis Grawey. He smashed a three-run homer on his way to 6 RBI. Marcellus Henry turned in a solid starting performance on the mound, going 7 innings while allowing 2 earned runs and 5 hits to pick up the win.

Long Beach is 15-14 overall and will take a break from SCC play when it faces Santa Ana College in a two-game non-conference series starting on Wednesday (Apr. 5). LBCC is at SAC to open the set and returns home to host the Dons on Thursday (Apr. 6). Both games are scheduled for 2 p.m. starts.