MUSTANGS RALLY TO OPEN REGIONALS WITH 7-4 WIN

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — May 1, 2026 Down four runs in the opening round of the NorCal Regional, the Los Medanos College baseball team refused to fold. The Mustangs erupted for five unanswered runs over the final three innings to defeat West Valley College 7-4 at Trojan Diamond, opening postseason play on the road with an emphatic statement win.

Los Medanos, now 27-13 overall and 14-7 in conference, overcame a slow start to climb back into the game and ultimately control it late. The Mustangs fell behind early as West Valley jumped out to a 4-1 lead through three innings. The Vikings struck first in the bottom of the first when Parker Kristall scored on an unearned run via David Estrada's fielder's choice. Andrew Bonfigli then launched a solo home run in the second to push the lead to 2-0. West Valley added two more in the third on Estrada's RBI double and a Bobby Hill RBI single, putting LMC in an early four-run hole.

Los Medanos answered in the top of the third when Brendan Lister's RBI single plated Zach Madrigal to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Mustangs needed more. The comeback began quietly. In the sixth, Antonio Moriera crossed the plate on a wild pitch, unearned, but it mattered, trimming the deficit to 4-2 and injecting life into the LMC dugout.

Then came the seventh inning, and Carlos Garcia. The right fielder crushed a two-run home run to score Nate Liddicoat ahead of him, instantly tying the game at 4-4. Garcia finished the afternoon 1-for-5 with two RBI, providing the biggest swing of the ballgame.

With the game knotted heading into the eighth, the Mustangs seized control for good. Zach Madrigal led off with a two-bagger to drive in Moriera and give LMC its first lead of the day at 5-4. Liddicoat then delivered the knockout blow with a clutch two-RBI single, scoring both Luke Hillsheim and Madrigal to push the advantage to 7-4. Liddicoat finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base, doing damage all afternoon at the plate and on the bases.

Starter Blaine Welte earned the win, improving to 9-3 on the season. He navigated 5.1 innings, surrendering four runs — only three earned — on six hits while striking out five. Welte worked around seven walks and the early deficit to keep LMC in the game long enough for the offense to rally.

Kyoungseo Min then slammed the door in relief, delivering 3.2 innings of absolutely dominant baseball. Min retired the Vikings in order through the final frames, allowing zero hits, zero runs, and striking out one in what was a textbook closing performance. The outing earned Min his first save of the season.

LMC waits for the outcome of host Skyline College vs West Valley.