The Long Beach City College softball team played host to the Santa Ana College Dons on Wednesday afternoon after the rain settled and the field was cleared for action. LBCC's bats were slow to wake up through the first four frames, but the Vikings began to put the ball in play and pressure the Don's defense leading to a two-run fifth inning top grab the lead. Two runs was all Long Beach pitching staff needed to grasp a 2-1 victory over Santa Ana.
Freshman hurler Alissa Cienfuegos (Carson, CA) was slated for the start in the circle and continued to chuck the ball effectively. Cienfuegos allowed a lone run in a lengthy third inning, but was virtually unhittable throughout the entire game. Leading up to one out in the third inning, she retired six-in-a-row that consisted of two strikeouts looking. She retired the side in the top of the fourth inning as well.
The bottom of the fifth inning deemed well for the LBCC offense as freshman designated player Vanessa Montanez (Lakewood, CA) led off the frame with a single to left-center field. Freshman pinch hitter Faith Hernandez (Downey, CA) reached base via throwing error on the Don's third baseman, setting up a second and third scenario with nobody out. Freshman right fielder Alijah Vega (Bellflower, CA) took advantage of the opportunity and laced a double to left-center field, scoring two runs and grabbing a 2-1 advantage.
After Cienfuegos shut down the Dons in the ensuing half inning, Montanez took over the pitching duties and slammed the door shut. She recorded three strikeouts in two innings, with her final two punch outs acting as the last outs pf the game leading to a 2-1 victory.
Cienfuegos improved her record to 3-1 after chucking five innings and fanned a pair of batters. Montanez enter the circle in the final two innings with guns blazing as she earned her third save of the season with a three-strikeout showing.
Vega contributed the huge hit with a two-RBI double in the fifth inning for her lone knock of the game. Ruiz and Hernandez were responsible for the runs as they each crossed the plate once.
Head Coach Megan Martinez was happy about the resilience shown by her team.
"Our bench just came through and did the job today," explained Martinez. "We utilized small ball and speed kills. Thankfully, I am deep in the bench and it was a total team win here today."
The Vikings (5-1) push their winning streak to five games and face off against Rio Hondo on the road on Thursday, February 9th on the road. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.