Villapando walks it off, Vikings triumph over El Camino
A 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh, a game-tying homer and game-winning knock gave West Valley a walk-off victory over El Camino, 4-3.
SARATOGA, Calif – A 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh, a game-tying homer and game-winning knock gave West Valley a walk-off victory over El Camino, 4-3.
Makayla Villapando and Bree Chambers-Lee the heroes for the Vikings as they advance to the winner's bracket.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Vikings cruised through the first four innings – Ashlie Nakano retired 12-straight Warriors after working into a jam in the first inning.
West Valley got on the board first in the third inning. A tough task against the SoCal Pitcher of the Year, Lexi Ramirez. The Vikings hit back-to-back doubles, Dre DeJesus hit the first then Rylee Gomez's ground rule double sent her home.
El Camino threatened in the fifth. A one-out single then a walk one batter later forced Nakano out of the game. Amelia Sizemore came into the game inheriting the runners on base, but keeping them on with a double play ball to end the inning.
The Vikings kept that momentum rolling into the bottom half. After a leadoff walk, bunt and throwing error that brought runners to second and third, Jasmine Mixco brought home the game's second run on a sac fly.
Down 2-0, El Camino erupted for three runs in the top of the sixth. A leadoff double and pair of walks loaded the bases for Ramirez who helped her own cause with an RBI single. One batter later, Morgan Knight grounded out to first, but a diving stop allowed a run to come in and score. The final run of the inning crossed the plate on an Emily Gamboa single.
After zeros in the bottom of the sixth and seventh, West Valley came to bat, three outs away from a loss. Chambers-Lee's homer was a no-doubter to left center, tying the game. Two walks set the stage for Villapando who's single rang off the left field wall to end the game.
@wvc_vikings walks it off to move into the winner's bracket! Brianna Chambers-Lee and Makayla Villapando the heroes of the evening speak on their ABs. 4-3 over El Camino. pic.twitter.com/laYeSXymKm
— 3CFCA (@3CFCA) May 16, 2025
UP NEXT
West Valley moves into the winner's bracket with the win and will face the winner of Cypress and Yuba at 2 p.m.
El Camino falls into the loser's bracket and faces the loser of that same game in a win-or-go-home game at 2 p.m. at San Jose City College.
