(Valhalla, NY) - For Westchester Community College sophomore Luis Gomez (Bronx, NY/St. Raymond's) it was the most improbable of wins, against the most impossible of odds, on a day when a victory was sorely needed but seemed so very far away. But, for a pitcher who has made a career out of seizing the most triumphant of victories from the death-grip of defeat, the final victory to become the all-time career wins leader in Westchester Community College history could not have happened in any other way. In fact ... it was perfect.

Down 7-0 in the fifth inning, facing their final out in the ninth inning, and seeing a routine fly ball that should have ended the contest become a bases-clearing exultation to tie the game at nine, when sophomore Chris Cipriano (Irvington, NY/Dobbs Ferry HS) deposited a bloop single to right field to score the game winning run in Westchester's 10-9 win over Ulster Community College in Wednesday's opener at Vikings Field, the celebration went to Gomez, who became the first Vikings hurler to ever record 15 career wins. And in typical Gomez fashion, the win was in every way unorthodox. 

Two seasons ago, Gomez earned 11 wins, many of which came in a fashion that can only be considered "unique." There were blown save opportunities for which a Viking rally allowed Gomez to earn a win. There were games Gomez departed facing a huge deficit only to see Westchester rally to take the lead before another Viking pitcher could enter the game. There was even a game when Gomez was busy taking a final exam, but somehow became the pitcher of record in a victorious fashion. Of course, like in 2019, there were a multitude of quality appearances that led to wins, but when Gomez earned the nickname, "The Vulture," there were few questions asked. 

So naturally, on Wednesday, Gomez's record-breaking win was a walk-off victory for the Vikings, so Gomez was not even on the field when the record was broken.

But that is not to say he did not pitch well. In fact, he entered the game with Ulster leading 7-6 prior to the eight inning, and held the Senators at bay, allowing Westchester to tie the score 7-7 in the bottom of the eight inning when a Hailyn Gonzalez (Bronx, NY/Bronx Envision Academy) single scored Steve Messerschmitt (Carmel, NY/Carmel HS) to even things for the first time. However, a possible win appeared to slip away during the top of the ninth inning. Gomez quickly recorded the first two outs, and appeared to induce the Senators into an inning-ending ground out, but an error allowed the inning to continue. Two hits later, Ulster plated two unearned runs to take a 9-7 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.

During a wild home ninth inning, Westchetser had two runners on base and two outs, and the game appeared to be over when  Messerschmitt lifted a routine fly ball to right field. However, the Ulster right fielder and second baseman collided, the ball landed harmlessly on the ground, Steve Guzman (Bronx, NY/JFK HS) and Michael Cox (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) scored, and the game was tied at 9. Up came Cipriano, and after a wild pitch sent Messerschmitt to third base, Cipriano poked a single to right field to score Messerchmitt and end the game. 

The win capped a wild and furious rally that began with Ulster scoring the first seven runs of the game, however, the Vikings gradually chipped away at the deficit, scoring a run in the fifth inning, two in the sixth inning, three more during the seventh inning, and leading to their offensive heroics during the final two innings. 

For Westchester, Messerschmitt went 2 for 4 with two walks and three runs scored, while Tyler Parshley (Carmel, NY/Carmel HS) and Aaron Roman (Pelham, NY/Pelham HS) had three hits apiece.

The Vikings received a huge boost from their bullpen as the trio of Optaciano Polo (Yonkers, NY/Cardinal Hayes), Jake Jempty (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas HS) and Gomez combined to pitch five innings in relief, allowing only one earned run.
 

The nightcap was a completely different story as Cox pitched his first career shutout, allowing only two hits, while striking out nine and walking only two batters as the Vikings earned a 9-0 win. Westchester's nine runs came on only four hits, but the Vikings were the beneficiaries of eight walks, two hit batsmen, five wild pitches, and three Ulster errors. Westchester led 8-0 after two innings, and never looked back as Cox was never threatened. 

Freshman CJ Spence (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon HS) went 2 for 2 with three RBI's and a run scored, while Messerschmitt reached base twice and scored two runs.  

Westchester Community College and Ulster Community College are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, April 20 for a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader at Ulster CC. However, the current weather forecast appears to pose a threat to the game. Should the schedule change, information will be announced on GoWCCVikings.com and on all Westchester CC Athletic Department social media vehicles.