Vikings Claim Super Regional Title, Punch Ticket to State
LBCC softball continued its postseason run in dominant fashion, defeating Mt. San Antonio in back-to-back games to win the 3C2A SoCal Super Regional and advance to the state championships.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 2 |
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0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | X | 11 | 7 | 2 |
Game 1
Long Beach opened the Super Regional with a comeback victory, scoring twice in the seventh inning to defeat Mt. San Antonio 5-4 on Friday.
The Mounties struck first with a two-run home run in the opening inning, but the Vikings answered in the second. Long Beach capitalized on aggressive baserunning and hitting to tie the game at 2-2.
Mt. SAC regained the lead in the fourth with two runs, but the Vikings chipped away at the Mounties' lead. In the fifth, Natania Leomiti delivered an RBI double to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Trailing by one in the seventh, Long Beach came through in the clutch. With runners on, Leomiti once again delivered, driving in two runs with her second double of the game to give the Vikings a 5-4 lead.
At the plate, Leomiti led the way with two doubles and three RBIs, while Zara Mineo, Ali Calderon, Michelle Cervantes, and Alesa Gonzalez each contributed a hit.
In the circle, Ella Haugo went the distance, allowing four runs on six hits while securing the complete-game victory.
Game 2
Long Beach clinched the Super Regional title on Saturday with an 11-7 win, using a pair of big innings to pull away.
Mt. SAC jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Vikings stayed composed as they did in the Chaffey series and responded in kind. Long Beach got on the board in the third before erupting in the fifth inning for six runs to take control of the game.
The inning was highlighted by a three-run home run from Lela Asi, followed by an RBI double from Ella Haugo as the Vikings surged ahead 7-3.
Mt. SAC battled back with three runs in the sixth to cut the deficit to one, but Long Beach answered immediately. In the bottom half, Zara Mineo delivered a two-run home run, and the Vikings added insurance runs to extend the lead to 11-6.
Mineo finished with two hits and three RBIs, while Asi added two hits and three RBIs, including the key home run. Haugo contributed two RBIs, and Madison Fao and Haleigh Jacobs each scored multiple runs.
In the circle, Adalise Valenzuela provided key relief, holding the Mounties in check over the final innings to secure the win.
With the two-game sweep, the Vikings are crowned SoCal Super Regional Champions and advance to the 3C2A State Championships.
Long Beach will open state play on Thursday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. against San Joaquin Delta College (32-10, 19-5).