The Long Beach City College baseball team scored a run in the eighth and added three more in the ninth inning to pull out a 4-1 non-conference win at Barstow College in its season-opener on Saturday.

Long Beach broke up the pitcher's duel with the game's first run in the top of the eighth. Sophomore Justin Moore (LA University HS) drew a two-out walk, stole second base and moved to third on a throwing error by Barstow catcher Cody Stafford. Two batters later, Moore (pictured) came in to score on a wild pitch by reliever Joshua King.

LBCC broke the game open in the bottom of the ninth after pounding out four hits. Freshman Nate Alcafaras (Wilson HS) and sophomore Daniel Catalan (Warren HS) had RBI singles and Alcafaras came in to score on a balk.

The highly touted LBCC pitching staff got off to a good start. Freshman starting pitcher Jake Angus (Pacifica HS) allowed just two hits and struck six batters over six innings on his way to a no-decision. Freshman David Aispuro (Jordan HS) picked up the win with two innings of scoreless relief. Aispuro (1-0) struck out two and walked one.

Catalan led the Vikings at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a RBI. Alcafaras went 2 for 4 with a run and RBI while sophomore Edwin Santiago (Jordan HS) went 1 for 3 with a double in the ninth that started the late rally.

LBCC (1-0) returns to action on Tuesday (Feb 7) when it will begin a three-game series with Orange Coast College. The Vikings play at OCC on Tuesday at 2 pm, then host the Pirates in their home-opener on Feb 9 at Joe Hicks Memorial Field at 2 pm before closing out the series back at Orange Coast on Feb 10, also at 2 pm.

Photo by Chris Ruiz