LANCASTER – West Los Angeles College fell behind early but battled back late to bring home an 11-9 victory in 10 innings at Antelope Valley College to begin a three-game Western State Conference series.
Nathan Nykaza (2 for 3, 3 runs, 2 RBI) and Joshua Kennedy (2 for 4, 2 runs, 2 RBI) both smashed two-run home runs to lead the Wildcats at the plate. The much-needed victory snapped a four-game losing streak for West LA.
Antelope Valley put up two quick runs in the bottom of the first and erupted for five runs in the second to take a 7-2 lead.
But the Wildcats chipped away by scoring two runs in the top of the third and put together a five-run rally of their own in the sixth. Nykaza's home run capped the surge and gave West LA its first lead at 9-8.
Antelope Valley grinded out a run in the bottom of the ninth to tie up the contest and send the game to extra innings.
In the 10th, Noah Matsumoto and Nykaza drew walks and advanced on a wild pitch. With two outs, Justin Strickland's grounder was misplayed by AVC pitcher William Joseph for an error and allowed both runs to score.
Alexander Galvan set the Marauders down in order in the bottom of the 10th to close out the West LA win and earn the victory. Alexander tossed the final three innings, allowing one run and one hit.
West LA improved to 4-14 overall and 1-3 in Western State Conference South Division play. The Wildcats and Marauders continue their series on Thursday (Mar. 17) in Culver City and wrap it up back in Lancaster on Friday (Mar. 18) at 2:30 p.m.