Vikings Rally Late to Secure 6-3 Victory Over LA Mission

The Long Beach City College baseball team battled back from an early deficit to claim a 6-3 comeback victory over LA Mission College on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning, Long Beach got on the board when designated hitter Cross Stephens drove in first baseman Aaron Mingo with an RBI single. LA Mission extended its lead in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, but the Vikings responded in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on defensive errors. First baseman Kyler Gloth reached on a fielder's choice, and a series of errors allowed center fielder Danny Rodriguez and second basemen Alejandro Rosas to score, tying the game at 3-3.

The Vikings took control in the eighth inning. Shortstop Jackson Pohl delivered a clutch two-run single, bringing home Stephens and left fielder Erick Espinoza to give Long Beach a 5-3 lead. Right fielder Ryan Lopetegui followed with an RBI single, tacking one more run to seal the victory.

On the mound, Max Ghiglieri got the start and worked four solid innings, allowing just one earned run on one hit while striking down four. Johann Gibbs (1-0) took over in relief and picked up the win, tossing four innings of two-hit ball with four strikeouts. Niko Riera closed the door in the ninth, striking out two to earn his second save of the season.

"Still wasn't as clean a game as we would like to play, but we're learning to win and getting contributions from many different players," said Head Coach Casey Crook.

The Vikings will be back on the field on Tuesday, February 4 at Mt. San Jacinto College at 1 p.m.