The Knights softball team was able to seal the 2-0 victory against Long Beach City College with a strong pitching performance from freshman Ivana Gonzalez on Feb. 7.

“It was awesome and it was a really well-played game. We did almost everything perfect and that’s why we won that game. I was really proud of our defense and especially proud of our pitcher Ivana Gonzalez,” said Head Coach LeeAnn Taylor.

In the win, Gonzalez faced 24 batters and allowed three hits and had one strikeout. Although she had one strikeout, throughout the seven innings of the game Gonzalez was bringing the heat each time and when a batter from LBCC swung on her pitch — it was an easy catch for the Knights infielders and outfielders.

“She did a great job pitching — this was her best out of all the games she pitched. She did really well because she got the ground balls and that is what she is supposed to do and she played great throughout the entire game,” said sophomore shortstop Katie Dowdy.

During the bottom of the third inning, it was Gonzalez that also fueled the Knights offense as she was able to hit one down the center and from an errant throw from LBCC’s defense – Gonzalez was able to make it to second base.

Following Gonzalez, freshman Alex Galatis got another hit that went straight down the middle and was able to bring Gonzalez home for the first score of the game.

With Galatis on second base, sophomore Amanda Diaz was able to crank one to left field and from another horrible throw from the defense, Diaz made the run to second and Galatis made LBCC’s defense pay as she was able to come home and put the Knights up 2-0.

With those two runs, it was all that the Knights needed to seal the deal as Long Beach never could get into their rhythm offensively and with the victory, the Knights improved their record to 3-2.

Gonzalez expressed that it was a good team win and after coming off a 6-3 victory against Ventura College the day before, Gonzalez and Dowdy agreed that the team is getting into their rhythm as the season picks up.

“The team is really solid; we have been practicing really hard and I feel like everybody on the team is really connecting and everybody is doing what they need to do – all the outfielders are catching the balls, the infielders are working together and our hitting is solid also,” Gonzalez said.

“We are learning how to work together and play together – so we are coming together as a team and we know each other’s weaknesses and strengths so we just realize that and pick up on it and help each other out,” Dowdy added.

The Knights next home game will be against Imperial Valley College on Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Betty Hock Softball Field.