Freshman Melissa Yepez (pictured) went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI while freshman Candice Shadwell allowed just two early hits in a complete-game effort to lead the Long Beach City College softball team to an 8-0 five-inning win over visiting El Camino College in both teams' South Coast Conference opener on Wednesday at LBCC.

Yepez had a big day at the plate with three singles, including the game-winner in the bottom of the fifth to drive in freshman Victoria Padilla to cap a two-out, three-run rally. Freshman Alma Aviles had a clutch pinch-hit RBI double and an error on a soft fly ball off the bat of freshman Cierra Peterson led to another run in fifth.

The Vikings jumped on the Warriors early and scored three runs in the first. Sophomore Reanna Guzman hit a RBI single and freshman Eileen Rivera brought in a pair with a two-out single.

Yepez had a sacrifice fly to drive in Padilla in the second, and a pair of El Camino errors in the third inning led to another run.

Shadwell was impressive in the win. After allowing a first-inning double and lead-off single in the second, she retired 11 of the final 12 batters she faced. Shadwell struck out three and walked one.

Tiffany Cockrell took the loss for El Camino (2-6, 0-1 SCC). She allowed eight runs (four earned) and 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Long Beach (5-3, 1-0 SCC) plays the second of three straight home games on Wednesday (Feb. 13) when it hosts San Diego Mesa College at 2:30 p.m.

Photo by Chris Ruiz