Vaqueros ride 9-run inning to 9-4 victory

Christal Vierra had two doubles, two RBI and scored twice – all in the same inning -- on Tuesday as SBCC rode a 9-run fourth inning to a 9-4 softball triumph over L.A. Mission at Pershing Park.

Vierra, a freshman third baseman from Sacramento, went 2-3 as the Vaqueros (3-1) overcame a 4-0 deficit to win their third straight. SBCC sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth, scoring nine runs on eight hits.

"We were upset with how things were going and we were really focused on trying to get back in the game," said Vierra. "I was trying to wait on the ball because I've been out in front a lot lately. Coach gave me a pep talk before my at-bat and that helped me focus."

Vierra, the cleanup hitter, led off the fourth with a double to left. Amanda Caras singled and following a popout and an error, catcher Dakotah Wilcox delivered a two-run single. Winning pitcher Celeste Acosta followed with a two-run single that put SBCC ahead 5-4. Three batters later, Vierra doubled for the second time in the inning, scoring Acosta and Alice Cen. The eighth run scored on an error and Brianna Portese made it 9-4 with an RBI double to left-center.

Portese, Wilcox and Stanek all went 2-3. Portese, a sophomore center fielder, actually had her batting average go down to .727. She's 8-for-11 in four games.

Acosta (3-1) came on in relief to start the third and held the Eagles (4-5) to one run on six hits in five innings with four strikeouts and no walks.

"We talked to the kids (when they were down 4-0) and told them to play their game, to relax and stop trying to push it," said coach Paula Congleton. "I told them they'll get their hits and runs. Once we relaxed and started to actually watch the ball and drive the ball, then it was contagious."

The Vaqueros travel to Santa Clarita on Friday to take on Saddleback at noon and Canyons at 2 p.m.