Tuesday’s win was extra sweet for the SBCC softball team. The Vaqueros topped L.A. Mission 7-3 for their first victory in their home debut. And they did it on Valentine’s Day.
SBCC's Roxanne Hugo watches as her inside-the-park homer travels to the outfield. (Vince Agapito)
Alyse Harris, a freshman from Denver, pitched a five-hitter and got the final batter to look at strike three with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh. She gave up three runs (one earned) with six strikeouts and five walks.
Lauren Larabell went 3-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored for the Vaqueros (1-4). She and Harris delivered back-to-back run-scoring doubles to right-center in the first inning to give SBCC a 2-1 lead that it never relinquished.
Roxanne Hugo, a freshman from Carpinteria High, drilled a two-run inside-the-park homer to right field as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning, stretching the lead to 7-2. She drove in Larabell, who opened the frame with a single.
“We came together as a team, we were pumped the whole game and we kept each other up,” said Larabell, a freshman catcher from Hesperia. “There was a little drama in the seventh but we pulled through.”
Leadoff hitter Samantha Cabada was 2-3. She reached base in her first three appearances and scored twice. The Vaqueros had 11 hits and won in spite of four errors.
“We’re excited to win our home opener,” said coach Paula Congleton. “Valentine’s Day also makes it a nice occasion. It’s good for our kids after starting 0-4 on the road.
“Lauren had a phenomenal day and Sammy did great in the leadoff spot. Our consistency really helped us today.”
The Vaqueros will play in the San Diego City Invitational this weekend, opening on Friday against San Diego City at 10 a.m. and Napa Valley at noon.
SBCC 7, L.A. MISSION 3
L.A. Mission .…… 100 100 1 — 3 5 1SBCC ………………. 202 120 x — 7 11 4
Robertson and Wright; Harris and Larabell. W–Harris (1-3). L–Robertson (2-2).
2B–LAM: Wright. SB: Larabell, Harris. HR–SB: Hugo (1), 5th inn., one on.
