Baseball Drops Conference Opener to Long Beach

TORRANCE, Calif. --- El Camino College dropped its South Coast Conference opener to visiting Long Beach, 5-2, on Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Field.

It was the first meeting between the Warriors (9-4, 0-1) and Vikings (6-6, 1-0) since 2019 as the 2020 season was cancelled before the teams were able to contest their annual series and there was no season in 2021.

The Warriors got seven solid innings from starter Thomas Bainton who allowed three runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out four.

Unfortunately, Matthew Pinal was a touch better for the Vikings as the pitcher and designated hitter went eight strong innings and allowed just two runs on eight hits with one walk and eight strikeouts to pick up the victory on the bump. He also went 2-for-5 with the bat with one run scored.

Neil Feist pitched two innings in relief for the Warriors and gave up two runs, one earned, on two hits and two walks. He struck out two.

Offensively, the Warriors had multi-hit efforts from Daniel Murrillo, Ethan Felix and Julio Camarena but it was not enough.

Moises Guzman was 2-for-5 for the Vikings including the eventual game-winning hit, a two-run home run in the top of the seventh that broke a 1-1 tie.

The teams will meet again on Thursday as the series shifts to Long Beach. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. The final game of the series is set for Saturday at noon at Warrior Field.