Long Beach City College sophomore Natalie Ayala (Torrance HS) struck out seven batters and allowed just three hits in an 8-0, five-inning South Coast Conference win over visiting Los Angeles Harbor College on Tuesday at LBCC.
The mercy-rule victory improved Long Beach to 6-7 overall and 3-2 in the SCC.
Long Beach jumped on Harbor starting pitcher Mariah Marquez early, scoring three runs in the first to stat the rout. The Vikings added a run in the second and secured the eight-run win with four more runs in the third.
Freshman Amanda Sandoval (North Torrance HS) led LBCC at the plate, going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI and a run. She scored in the first, smacked an RBI single in the second to drive in freshman Rayleen Pallan (California HS), and lined a single to right to bring home Emily Demers (Mary Star of the Sea HS) in the third.
Sophomores Melissa Yepez (Paramount HS), Alyssa Rayas (Millikan HS), and Emily Demers as well as freshmen Cassie Demers (Mary Star of the Sea HS) and Cristina Barajas (Warren HS) all had RBI in the win.
Marquez took the loss for winless Harbor (0-12, 0-5 SCC). She allowed eight runs (five earned) and seven hits over three innings.
Long Beach returns to action on Thursday (Feb 27) at 5 p.m. when the Vikings travel to Mt. San Antonio College for a SCC game.