With a chance to finish in third place among ten teams in the Babe Herman Tournament, the Samohi Vikings were leading the El Segundo Eagles 4-1 going into the seventh inning only to let it get away.
Senior Adam Padilla was pitching a great game having given up just one run through six, but was showing signs of tiring and was replaced going into the seventh with junior Jonny Barry. With only one out away from winning, the wheels came off again for the Vikings. It started with a base hit followed by two consecutive walks that loaded the bases.
Coach Sheldon Philip-Guide then replaced Barry with junior Albert Garcia, who now being one strike away from winning, gave up a base hit that brought in two runs and the Eagles had tied the score.
Unable to score in the seventh or eight innings, the Eagles got their leadoff hitter on base on an error in the top of the ninth. Two batters later, a double brought home the run. The next hitter singled bringing home one more run for insurance as the Eagles won 6-4.
“It comes down to being mentally tough,” said Phillip-Guide. “To not be afraid to go out and shut the door, giving up three runs in the seventh – it’s the third time we’ve done this and it’s unacceptable.”
The other two losses came to North Saxons and Crescenta Valley Eagles earlier this season.
Senior Matthew Stancil continued his hot hitting in the loss, getting three hits with an RBI. He hit .552 driving in 4 RBI in the Babe Herman Tournament.
Out of ten teams in the Tournament, the Samohi Vikings finished fourth, not where they wanted to finish but it was respectable among some quality teams.
Vikings begin League play against the Hawthorne High Cougars at Hawthorne, on April 12 at 3:15 p.m.
