Jags Sweep Vikings in Super Regionals, Securing Third Consecutive State Appearance

By Malaya Street

Jags sweep Vikings in Super Regionals and clinched a spot at State for the third consecutive year.  

In an away best-of-three series, the San José City College Jags (26-16) upset the #7 3CFCA State Ranked West Valley College Vikings (30-10) with two back-to-back wins and allowed the Vikings to score only one run.  

Now, the Jags are a part of the Top 8 teams in the State and sit at No. 3 in NorCal. Not bad, considering the Jags entered the playoffs as the 11th seed.  

Going into Super Regionals, the Vikings were favored to win this matchup because they beat the Jags both times during the regular season. With a chip on their shoulder and the odds stacked against them, the Jags proved never to underestimate the underdogs. The Jags won the first game in a 3-0 shutout and the second game 5-1.

All-American and Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year Alaina Valdez was the only pitcher in the circle for the Jags this series as she was efficient in shutting down the Vikings during the entire 14 innings with ten hits, one earned run, four walks, and 11 strikeouts.   

Kiya Sandoval was the pivotal offensive player for the Jags in the first game because she knocked in the first two runs with her standup double to the fence. Sandoval went 2 for 3 with a run and two RBIs.   

The first game was scoreless during the first four innings as the Jags and the Vikings kept a clean defense. In the fifth inning, the Jags started a rally, with Karissa Smith leading off with a bunt hit to third. Deja Jimenez bunted a sacrifice, and Bella Caruso-Commisso walked to first. Sandoval then drove the ball into right-center and put two runs on the board to give the Jags the lead.   

The top of the seventh inning also began with a bunt hit by Sandoval as the pitcher could not make the toss on time. Jade Henry lined the ball to left field, and Sandoval dove home as the Vikings' catcher dropped the ball. This insurance run gave confidence to the Jags and minimized the Vikings' confidence to make a comeback in the bottom of the inning.   

In the second game, the Jags were coming in hot by scoring five runs in the second inning, and it all began with a leadoff walk by Malia Venegas. Smith bunted a sacrifice, and Jimenez followed with an infield hit by outrunning the throw to first. Keana Castro forced an error on the third baseman's throw to first, giving Venegas enough time to score at home.  

Runners on second and third, Sandoval bunted a suicide squeeze, and the toss to home went past the catcher and to the backstop allowing Jimenez and K. Castro to score to increase the lead to 3-0 safely.  

Melissa Felix continued the momentum with a hit in the 5-6 hole. Valdez added another run to the board with a shallow flyball to center that found enough real estate to drop and scored Sandoval. During Henry's at-bat, the Vikings changed pitchers, but a pitch later hit Henry to make bases loaded. Haley Castro stroked a deep sacrifice fly to center for the final blow.  

The Vikings did score one run in the fourth inning, but Valdez and the Jags' defense prevented any more runners from having the opportunity to threaten to score. The Vikings could not make it to second base after the fourth inning.   

Valdez ended the game with a strikeout, and the Jags stormed the field with cheers while the Jags' fans gave them a standing ovation. As the tradition, some Jag players drenched Head Coach Deborah Rooney with the water jug to celebrate qualifying for State.   

The Jags traveled to Mt. San Antonio College on Wednesday, where the State tournament will be held. On Thursday, May 18th, the Jags will play the Mt. San Antonio College Mounties at 11 a.m. Fans can watch the live stream at https://sjccjaguars.com/JAGSLIVE