
SB | Duenas' dinger lifts Vikes on Sophomore Day
Cynthia Duenas' two-run homer in the 2nd inning aids the Vikes past ARC in the final home game of the regular season.
PLEASANT HILL – Have a day, Cynthia Duenas. Although it was Sophomore Day at Vikings Field, the freshman from Pinole Valley provided a two-run homer in the 2nd inning to aid the Vikings to victory past the Beavers in the second game of the final home doubleheader of the season.
Diablo Valley received a much-needed insurance run in the bottom of the 6th inning off a Laurel Poff (freshman, College Park) double that scored Isabell Vergara (sophomore, Concord) from second base, who was in for a key pinch run situation.
The insurance run loomed large as American River took their final at-bats in the top of the 7th. Michelle Tarlandouk and Emily Butcoff hit back-to-back doubles off DVC's starting pitcher, Carrie Lee (sophomore, Alameda). Nicole Nordahl (freshman, Albany) was brought in for the save situation where she was able to induce a ground out from Cindy Van Bogart for the first out, a line out from Sharie Albert, and a ground out from Megan Esparza to seal the deal in a 3-2 win.
The sweep over American River improves DVC's record to 29-8 overall, 15-5 in conference. After finishing 11-25 overall last season, head coach Dennis Luquet, assistant coaches John Rebstock and Carl Paz have been instrumental in leading this unprecedented turnaround.
Carrie Lee improves her record to 10-4 and Nicole Nordahl picks up her third save of the season. The home run was Duenas' 11th of the season, giving her 39 RBIs on the year.