Nordin’s walk-off single lifts Vaqueros, 3-2

Emma Tegth Nordin came off the bench to collect two RBIs on Tuesday, including a bases-loaded single with no outs in the bottom of the seventh that gave SBCC a 3-2 walk-off softball win over L.A. Valley.

It was the fifth victory in six games for the Vaqueros (5-2), who are 4-0 at home. Valley fell to 1-6.

Nordin, a freshman from Uppsala, Sweden, entered in the fifth inning to play first base.

"I played softball in Sweden from the age of 11 or 12," said Nordin. "I love Santa Barbara, the beach and the palm trees. I liked the team and the coach, so I decided to come here.

"I felt like I had to get a hit (in the seventh). I was just focusing on the ball and hitting it hard."

Celeste Acosta (5-2) pitched a two-hitter for the Vaqueros and didn't allow a hit in the final four innings. The sophomore right-hander gave up one earned run with three strikeouts and a walk.

The Vaqueros tied the game 1-1 on an RBI single by Amanda Caras in the fourth. They took a 2-1 lead in the fifth when Acosta singled, Dakotah Wilcox doubled to right center and Nordin grounded out to the first baseman, scoring Acosta.

The Monarchs tied it at 2 in the top of the sixth when Isxel Aquino reached on an error, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on infield error.

Pinch-hitter Nicole Bennett drew a walk to lead off the SBCC seventh and Acosta and Wilcox followed with singles to load the bases. Wilcox, a sophomore catcher from Carpinteria High, was 3-3 and Acosta was 2-3.

Nordin delivered a line-drive single to left center to bring home Bennett and touch off a Vaquero celebration.

"We came out a little flat today and we need to be more aggressive at the plate," said coach Paula Congleton. "We put in a few subs and it worked out. Celeste has been doing a phenomenal job, it looks like she'll be our workhorse."

SBCC is scheduled to host Long Beach City College on Friday at 2:30 p.m.