Streaking Vikings win conference showdown

PALM DESERT - In a battle of conference unbeatens, Barstow rallied for a 5-3 win over College of the Desert on Wednesday.

Both teams entered play at 4-0 in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference, but the Vikings were able to score the final five runs of the game to improve to 5-0 and 12-3 overall. Barstow also extended its winning streak to nine games.

"Desert is a really solid team and the game could have gone either way," said coach Tim Syrek. "A couple of plays could have gone either way and in a tight game those plays are the difference."

Desert scored a run in the second and two in the third. The Roadrunners had bases loaded with no one out, but the Vikings got out of the jam.

"That really proved to be the difference," Syrek added. "We expect Desert's best the next time we play."

Cheyenne Armstrong had two hits and scored two runs, while Kiki Hicks had three hits and two RBI. Alyssa Zambrano had a hit and an RBI, while Alyssa Avalos added a hit and a run.

Vivien Gutierrez pitched a complete game for the win. She allowed six hits, but got stronger as the game progressed.

"Viv was a little off early and was behind in the count," Syrek said. "She adjusted and really finished the game strong. And our defense really stepped up and made some good plays."

Barstow hosts San Bernardino on Friday at 3 p.m.