Vikings Complete Series Sweep with Extra-Inning Thriller Over LA Harbor

Vikings Complete Series Sweep with Extra-Inning Thriller Over LA Harbor

The Long Beach City College baseball team capped off a dominant series sweep against LA Harbor College with a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory in extra innings on Saturday.

The Seahawks struck first, capitalizing on a Vikings error in the opening frame to take a 1-0 lead. However, Long Beach responded quickly in the bottom of the second when catcher Eduardo Diaz roped an RBI double to even the score at 1-1.

The game turned into a pitcher's duel as Vikings starter Max Ghiglieri set the tone on the mound, tossing four hitless innings while allowing just one unearned run and striking out three. Benjamin Dorantes followed with three no-hit innings of relief, fanning three without issuing a walk.

In the bottom of the eighth, first baseman Aaron Mingo delivered in the clutch, smashing a double to center field to bring in Ghiglieri and put Long Beach ahead 2-1. But LA Harbor refused to go away, pushing across the tying run in the ninth to force extra innings.

The Vikings bullpen held firm, with Thomas Adair, Niko Riera, Cesar Corrales, and Adrian Arellano combining for four innings of one-run ball, striking out 10 and keeping the Seahawks from capitalizing on key opportunities. Arellano, who entered in the 11th with the bases loaded, escaped the jam and earned his first collegiate win.

In the bottom of the 11th, left fielder Caleb Brandon stepped up and delivered a game-winning infield single to drive in Mingo and secure the 3-2 victory for Long Beach.

"We started slow, but big props to the dugout for bringing the energy and getting us going," said Mingo. "I'm extremely proud of the guys for flipping the switch in the middle of the game and locking in. This was a huge win for us."

Head coach Casey Crook praised his team's resilience and the bullpen's performance.

"It was good for us to win a game like that, doesn't matter who you're playing against," Crook said. "The guys out of the bullpen came into some tough spots and delivered, and we had some big hits in clutch moments. Adrian Arellano is moving up the list in the pen—he came in with the bases loaded and got the out, which was awesome to see. Same with Ben Dorantes, who pitched really well today."

The Vikings will return to action on Tuesday, March 11, when they travel to face Cerritos College at 2 p.m.