From reports by LBCC’s Chris Ruiz

Long Beach City College softball sophomore left fielder Vanessa Samudio was named the 2009 South Coast Conference Player of the Year on Thursday at the SCC postseason coaches meeting.  Six other Vikings earned all-conference honors, including three players named to the first team.

Samudio was dominant from the left side of the batter’s box for LBCC this season. In 18 conference games, she led the SCC with a .564 batting average (31 for 55). Samudio topped the Vikings with a .891 slugging percentage, three homeruns, 16 RBI, and had a .607 on base percentage.

Samudio is the ninth Viking in the program’s history to be named SCC Player of the Year. For the season, she is batting .512 with 62 hits, 15 doubles, seven homeruns, and 39 RBI.

Being named to the SCC first team were sophomore pitcher Christine Gonzalez, freshman third baseman Valentina Nabayan, and sophomore second baseman/right fielder Jean Gallegos.

Gonzalez compiled a 9-6 record in 16 SCC appearances from the circle. She totaled 12 complete games and pitched three shutouts, while striking out 66. At the plate, Gonzalez had a .317 batting average, including a homerun and 10 RBI.  Nabayan had an impressive freshman season. In 18 games, she hit .375 with seven doubles, a home run, and 13 RBI. Gallegos hit .216 for LBCC in 18 games, scored six runs, and was 3 for 3 in steals.

Earning second team honors were sophomore catcher Alyssa Belmontes (0 errors in 76 chances), sophomore center fielder Karina Martinez (.357 BA), and sophomore shortstop Rose Vargas (.326 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI).

Long Beach closed the regular season last week by finishing third in the SCC with an 11-7 record. The Vikings will take a 31-12 overall record into the postseason.