City College extended its winning streak to three games with a 9-5 victory over L.A. Mission College on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Pershing Park.
Coach Congleton and the Vaqueros were ready to keep the momentum going at home with their explosive offense. Pitching has been a key factor in all three of the wins, led by red shirt sophomore Celeste Acosta (No. 1) who has come on in relief in two of the team’s last three games.
“I think we can come out a little harder in the beginning of the game,” said Acosta. “But I think these wins will give us momentum and keep us going throughout the season.”
Alex Abbott (No. 14) had the start for City College and was relieved by Acosta in the third inning after giving up four runs.
“There was no pressure on me,” Acosta said. “I definitely have confidence in everyone on the team.”
It wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth inning that the Vaqueros started to play their best ball.
Freshmen Christal Vierra (No. 17) continued to swing a hot bat, hitting a double into the left field corner to lead off the inning. After loading the bases behind Vierra, catcher Dakota Wilcox (No. 10) came up big for City College, hitting a two run single and putting the team’s first runs on the board. The hits didn’t stop there as the Vaqueros finished the inning with six hits and nine runs.
“We were really focusing on getting back into the game,” Vierra said. “The hits were definitely contagious.”
Acosta settled down behind the offensive onslaught and did what she does best. She gave up one run the rest of the game thanks to the continued success of the team’s defense.
Former Vaquero and new pitching coach Kailey Snyder praised Acosta on her resilience and focus in her last three outings.
“She has been working really hard in practice,” Snyder said. “She just goes out and does her thing.”
Redshirt sophomore Brianna Portese continued her four game hit streak with two more hits and leads the team with eight while sophomore Amanda Caras scored twice on the day, leading the team with four runs scored.
City College plays its next game at noon on Friday, Feb. 14, at Saddleback College.
