On Thursday, April 4, Mt. SAC baseball crushed it out of the park against the Long Beach Vikings with a victory of 8–6 sparked by an 11 strikeout performance from SAC sophomore pitcher Kyle Calzadiaz (16).

In the second of a three-game series after losing the series opener, 18–5, SAC was able to keep the game close and secure the needed win.

Both teams in the first inning couldn’t buy a hit with each team striking out twice. During the top of the second inning, the Vikings were yet again unable to bring in any hits. Calzadiaz (19) would bring his strikeout total to three through two innings. SAC on the other hand secured two singles but left freshman first baseman Diego Ortiz (9) and sophomore left fielder Joey Rossetti (12) stranded to end the inning.

In the top of the third inning, Vikings freshman outfielder Adrian Aviles (23) walked but ultimately would not score in the inning after a force out at second base would end the inning. SAC started off strong in the bottom of the third with sophomore shortstop Andrew Ramirez (2) hitting a double and advancing to third after freshman right fielder Bryan Bradshaw (24) bunted to move him over.

Ramirez (2) was able to cross home plate safely and record the first run of the afternoon for SAC after freshman second baseman Joel Gutierrez (6) recorded an RBI single. Designated hitter Gibby Morales (sophomore, 34) was hit by a pitch.

Gutierrez (6) would be thrown out at home trying to score from second base. The third inning ended with two SAC players left on bases.

The fourth inning went by quickly with the Vikings only getting one walk by sophomore shortstop Olin Snakenborg (2) and advancing to second after sophomore first baseman Ryan Geck (27) singled.

Calzadiaz (16) would strike out two more to bring his total to seven through four. SAC was unable to build on their lead due a three up, three down inning.

In the top of the fifth, Long Beach ended with one left on base after a walk and a steal of second and Calzadiaz (16) would strike out another pair of Vikings. Ramirez (2) would reach first on an error, steal second, advance to third on a passed ball and cross home plate safely on a single hit by Bradshaw (24).

Things heated up in the sixth.

The Vikings put some pressure on Calzadiaz (16) scoring three runs on three hits and a walk putting them in the lead with a score of 3–2 after the top of the sixth.

Mt. SAC responded to the Vikings by matching with a run of their own when Rossetti (12) walked with one man out, advancing to second after centerfielder Bradyn France (sophomore, 15) was hit by a pitch and both Ramirez (2) and Bradshaw (24) were given free passes to score Rossetti on a loaded-bases walk.

Gutierrez (6) would pop up to centerfield and end the inning tied, 3-3.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Vikings threatened to score.

Bradshaw (24) made a spectacular diving catch to end the inning preventing Vikings centerfielder Caleb Brandon (freshman, 24) from scoring from third. Calzadiaz (16) would record his final of his 11 strikeouts in the top of the seventh inning when freshman Jaden Mackowiak (25) relieved him with one man on second.

Vikings relief pitcher Jay Carr (sophomore, 50) was ejected from the game after using foul language towards the umpire.

Carr (50) gave up a two-run home run to third baseman Andrew Walters (26) to give SAC a 5-3 lead. Sophomore catcher Daniel Briones (29) would sac-fly in his at-bat scoring Rossetti (12). France (15) would cross home plate on a double from Ramirez (2).

7-2, SAC leads through seven.

Calzadiaz being able to pitch deep into the game without having to tax the bullpen proved to be a huge deciding factor to this point.

The Vikings had cycled through three relievers in the sixth and seventh inning alone. Carr’s (50) ejection with one out and a man on not only taxed the Vikings bullpen unnecessarily but also forced freshman Sean Lovett (30) to come in earlier than anticipated.

The eighth inning was uneventful for the Vikings after only having one walk. SAC was able to add another insurance run after freshman outfielder Jake Hernandez (1) doubled and scored off of Rossetti’s (12) single.

Long Beach tried making a comeback in the top of the ninth tallying three runs but fell short leaving two men on base for a final score of 8–6.

Walters, who hit the pivotal two-run bomb, said cheering on his teammates, getting a chance to do his job and his hitting were the best ways he could contribute to help his team emerge victorious.

“We needed the win so that was my mentality going into the game,” Walters said.

Head coach John Knott commented on the team’s performance. , “We had big moments on the mound, big moments on the plate and really good defensive plays,” Knott said.

The next home games for SAC will be on April 6 against Long Beach and April 9 against Rio Hondo.