LAMC Softball pulled ahead to 1-0 in its first game of Western State Conference play, defeating Barstow 16-8 in a 5-inning run-rule victory.

The Eagles put on a hit parade, scoring in every inning except the fourth.

Barstow issued a walk to leadoff batter Alyanna Martinez, followed by an error, to put two runners on base for the Eagles at the start of the game. An RBI single by sophomore left fielder Isabel Mercado and two 2-RBI doubles by freshman 3^rd baseman Sydney Caballero and freshman shortstop Gabriela Monge put the Eagles ahead 5-0 in the 1^st inning.

The real fireworks came in the 3^rd, when Mission put up nine runs on seven hits. Sophomore Designated Player Mabel Calderon, freshman catcher Jayleen Velazquez, freshman right fielder Arianna Ramos, freshman 1^st baseman Ashley Silva, Mercado, and Caballero strung six singles together to score five, aided by two errors on the field.

The Vikings replaced their pitcher with two runners on base and two outs with Calderon up to the plate, only to see her hit a homerun over the left center fence on the first pitch. A hit-by-pitch and error followed to score another run before the Eagles were finally retired.

Barstow put up a fight at the plate, scoring three earned runs off of sophomore starter Carmen Vargas in the first two innings.

The 3^rd was the big-scoring inning for the Vikings. They plated a run on three consecutive singles before Monge came to the mound in relief of Vargas with two runners on and no outs. Two more singles and errors in left field and at 3^rd base allowed four more runs to score before Mission was able to end the damage.

That was the last time they scored, as Monge shut out the Barstow offense in the 4^th and 5^th innings. The Mission lineup was able to add another run in the 5^th off of singles by Calderon and freshman 2^nd baseman Mitzy Rodriguez, a walk to Ramos, and a hit-by-pitch to Martinez to put them ahead by eight and end the game early.

The top hitters of the day were Mercado, who went 3 for 3 with 3 RBI; Calderon, who went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI; and Caballero, who went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. Monge went 1 for 3, bringing in 2 runs, while also earning the Win on the mound.

The Eagles play again Saturday, Feb. 24 in a double-header against Grossmont and Long Beach City College at the LBCC softball stadium.

Mission continues WSC competition Tuesday, Feb. 27, in Lancaster against defending conference champion Antelope Valley College.