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Long Beach City College is riding a high as the reigning Regional Champions and are hoping to keep that momentum going into the 2025 season. After claiming the title in May, the Vikings are looking to go even further this year.
“This year is going to be special. We will bring home a title back to the LBC,” Head Coach Megan Martinez said.
While Martinez is working to lead her team to reach more milestones this year, she is reaching a major point in her career too. 2025 will be the head coach’s tenth year with the Vikings, and she is honored to have been a part of this program’s success for the past decade.
“Continuing to represent LBCC and the city of Long Beach is an absolute honor and not one I take lightly,” Martinez said.
The city representation doesn’t stop with Martinez. The Vikings have a strong squad this year, including players who have graduated from local high schools.
Lela “Hyphy” Asi and Mikaela Pacheco are two newcomers for LBCC. The two both graduated from Millikan, who have been the reigning Moore League champions for the past four years. They will rotate in the outfield along with former Bruin and fellow freshman May Ramirez.
“I believe in our student – athletes and will continue to recruit locally, graduate and transfer our youth,” Martinez said.
The three locals will be joined in the outfield along with Alesa Gonzalez and Sienna Rivelry. Martinez said this outfield will be dangerous, anchoring it down as “the fastest freshmen outfield.”
“They are an absolute havoc on the bases and a tough out because of their speed,” Martinez said.
The outfield isn’t the only part of this year’s team to be quick and young. Martinez said the entire team can be summed up in three words: young, fast and hungry.
This hungry mindset comes from team captain Anaya Togia. Togia is the top returner for the Vikings this year, along with being the Conference MVP and leading batting champ.
“Anaya Togia has returned with a maturity, leadership qualities and a desire to lead us to a state title,” Martinez said.
Togia said her team’s overall goal this year is to finish the job, but it starts with the individual. LBCC’s mindset for the 2025 season is centered around being a good teammate.
“One of the biggest mottos we have continuing from last season is ‘to be a good teammate,’” Togia said. “That consists of cheering on your teammates when being down, getting a bunt down, taking a walk at your at-bat and doing anything to help our team.”
The Vikings have a lot of depth that will hopefully help them accomplish their goals. Paired with the speedy outfield and Togia’s power, there are two more big bats joining the team this year.
Michelle Cervantes, a San Diego native who will play third for Long Beach, and OLU high school catcher Zara Mineo will be a problem in the city’s lineup. The Vikes also added former Cal State Fullerton pitcher Hailey Harris to their rotation.
LBCC has already been off to a great start with a 6-1 record on a current six-game win streak. The team was also ranked No. 13 overall at the beginning of the year. However, Martinez said her team is focused on moving forward and proving themselves no matter their ranking.
“While we are always honored to be ranked, we pay little attention to the voting process,” Martinez said. “Top 15 ranking out of about 100 teams is a great start, but we know we will finish much higher.”
The team will host Mt. San Antonio on Valentine’s Day before traveling to Compton on Feb. 18.
Projected Starting Lineup:
C – Zara Mineo (Fr.) / Madison Ramon (Fr.) / Itzel Diaz (Fr.)
1B – Anaya Togia (So.)
2B – Haleigh Jacobs (Fr.)
SS – Jaela Ruiz (So.)
3B – Michelle Cervantes (Fr.)
LF – Mikaela Pacheco (Fr.) / Lela “Hyphy” Asi (Fr.)
CF – Alesa Gonzalez (Fr.)
RF – May Ramirez (Fr.)
P – Hailey Harris (So.) / Adalise Valenzuela (Fr.) / Mariah Zapata (So.)
