A purpose driven life.....

BARSTOW – Vivien Gutierrez is on a mission.

The Barstow sophomore has led the Vikings to eight straight wins and threw back-to-back no hitters to improve the team to 11-3 on the season and 4-0 in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference.

The mission is pretty simple for Gutierrez - to play softball with enthusiasm, integrity and to celebrate the memory of her best friend, Elena Kramer.

Before each at bat, Gutierrez flips her bat and writes the initials of her friend and her No. 3 in the infield dirt. Kramer, who was a freshman at Glendale Community College, died in a car accident on January 4, 2016. The two were teammates and shared a passion for softball.

The Barstow team wears a commemorative sticker on the helmets to pay tribute to Kramer.

"Vivien takes softball very serious and she works incredibly hard to be her best," said coach Tim Syrek. "Elena was her best friend and I really respect the fact that she has held on to the memory of her friend. Elena was a great person and a great friend and I know Viv misses her every day."

Gutierrez spent her freshman season at Marymount University and didn't see much playing time. At Barstow, she has carried the load on the mound.

So far this season Gutierrez has a 9-2 record with an ERA of 2.16. She has 66 strikeouts in 61 innings and just 10 walks. She also has been solid at the plate leading the conference with a .621 average and 12 RBI.

"The loss of her friend really helps to keep her focused," Syrek said. "She has a purpose and is on a mission. She's a driven young lady to play at a top level."