Softball: Long Beach edges LA Valley 6-5 in season opener

The Long beach City College softball team opened up the 2013 season on a winning note thanks to a 6-5 non-conference victory over visiting Los Angeles Valley College on Wednesday at LBCC.

Freshmen Eileen Rivera (pictured) and Emily Demers both had a pair of hits while sophomore Shanise Compton drove in a pair of runs to lead the Vikings' offense.

Long Beach wasted little time getting on the scoreboard by scoring three times in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman Cierra Peterson walked and then stole second before coming in to score on an error on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Lauren Alferos.

After a walk by sophomore Reanna Guzman, Compton drove in a pair of runs with a double to left-center field.

LA Valley (0-1) scored a run in the top of the second and jumped ahead with three more runs in the third.

LBCC tied up the game in the bottom of the third thanks to a RBI ground out by freshman Melissa Yepez. The Vikings took the lead for good in the fourth. Guzman walked to lead off the frame and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Compton. Rivera followed with a sharp double just inside the third base line to bring in Compton. Jezeree Misaalefua placed ripped another double in the same spot down the line to drive in Rivera and the Vikings led 6-4.

Long Beach freshman pitcher Candice Shadwell retired nine of the final 12 batters she faced before freshman Marisa Frese allowed a run in the seventh before nailing down the save.

Shadwell tossed six innings and allowed six hits and four runs (three earned) in her collegiate debut on her way to the win.

Rivera went 2 for 3 with a double, RBI, one walk, and a stolen base to lead LBCC at the plate.

Geneva Barba was 2 for 3 to lead LA Valley. Jessica Zapata got the loss, allowing five hits and three runs over the final four innings.   

Long Beach returns to action this weekend at the Glendale College Tournament. LBCC opens play on Friday (Feb. 1) at 9 a.m. against San Diego City College and plays San Bernardino Valley College at 11 a.m.

Photo by Chris Ruiz