Patience at the plate loaded the bases.

More patience for the Warriors helped them extend the lead over the visitors late in the game.

The El Camino softball team (9-6) conquered Long Beach City College (6-7), 11-5 at home for its third-consecutive South Coast Conference win.

“I’m really big on not worrying who is in the other dugout,” Warriors coach Jessica Rapoza said. “As long as we play the way we know how to play, we should be able to get it done.”

Freshman pitcher Natalie Francis earned her sixth win of the season with a complete game in the circle for the Warriors. Francis threw 103 pitches allowing nine hits and three earned runs.

“The (defense) really helped me out today,” Francis said. “They played really good, especially when we got down and made a couple of errors. We made some great plays and were able to score a couple of runs and push through it.”

Defensive errors early in the game allowed the Vikings to continuously answer back with runs to recapture the lead.

The Warriors were able to regain focus and break out for a five-run fifth inning to give them a hefty advantage over the Vikings.

Freshmen Raelani Camez, centerfielder, and Brigid Antonelli, catcher, had two hits and two RBIs each for the Warriors.

Freshman pitcher Haley Reed, batted for Francis, also had two hits in four at-bats while knocking in three batters.

“They stayed the course and kept playing through everything,” Warriors assistant coach Kaitlyn Hooper said. “The (team) was looking for their pitches and staying very disciplined at the plate. We drew a few walks and had a couple (hit by pitches) that were able to score us more runs.”

El Camino finished the game with 10 hits in 28 at-bats, and three errors, while LBCC finished with nine hits in 30 at-bats and two errors.

The Warriors will get back to business when they host SCC opponent, Pasadena City College (8-6), on March 1 at 3 p.m.