Softball: Vikings pick up first win, beat Rio Hondo 5-1

The Long Beach City College softball team bounced back from its season-opening loss last week with a 5-1 non-conference win over visiting Rio Hondo College on Wednesday at LBCC.

The win was the first of the young season for Long Beach as both the Vikings and sophomore pitcher Mary Gonzales (Banning HS) evened their record to 1-1.

Long Beach jumped ahead in first inning thanks to a sacrifice from Gonzales that scored Brianna Alvarez (Montebello HS).

In the third, Vanessa Valdez (Lakewood HS) smacked a two-run single to drive in Gonzales and Doreen Corella (San Pedro HS). The Vikings out the scoring with their final two runs in the fourth. Sarah Maldonado (Port of Los Angeles HS) scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Mariah Jacobo (La Serna HS) before Corella lined a RBI single to score Victoria Martin (Whittier HS).

Gonzales allowed just one hit and one unearned run over five innings. She struck out three and walked two. Amber Helguera (Garfield HS) closed out the victory, allowing one hit over the final two innings.

Gonzales (2 for 2, 2B, RBI), Corella (2 for 3, RBI), and Erika Balboa (Gahr HS, 2 for 3, 2B) totaled six of the Vikings' eight hits on the day.

Lauren Coronado picked up the loss for Rio Hondo (3-4). She allowed five runs and eight hits over six innings.

Long Beach returns to action on Saturday (Feb. 7) at 11 a.m. when it travels to San Diego City College for a non-conference game.