The Pasadena City College baseball team continued its strong run in South Coast Conference play by winning its third straight league series, this time defeating Long Beach City, 2-games-to-1 last week.
The Lancers are 7-1 in their last eight SCC games and have a 9-3 mark since Feb. 26 as they improved to 15-12 overall and 8-4 in conference. PCC is fourth in the 9-team SCC.
Against LBCC, the Lancers saw a 5-game conference win streak stopped in a 10-6, series-opening defeat v. the Vikings at Brookside Park's Jackie Robinson Field on Mar. 24. In that loss, PCC gave up four runs in both the first and third innings and the 8-2 hole at that point was too steep a hill to climb.
Rightfielder Luke Bauer batted 4-for-5 with two doubles, leftfielder Gabe Martinez came off the bench to go 2-for-3, including a 2-RBI single in the ninth, third baseman Chris Torres went 2-for-4 with a double, and designated hitter Diego Gurfein was 2-for-4 and also ripped a double. The only effective pitcher was the team's third reliever in the contest Alex Myers, who hurled 2.1 innings of 2-hit shutout ball plus two strikeouts.
In the second game at LBCC on Mar. 26, PCC scored four in the fourth, took a 6-0 lead only to see the Vikings respond with five runs in the sixth, but PCC hung on for an 8-5 victory. In the eighth up 6-5, the Lancers scored key insurance runs on a RBI double by first baseman/catcher Joaquin Salcedo and a single by hot-hitting shortstop Omar Cisneros.
Pacing a 12-hit Lancers attack were 2-hit performances by Cisneros (two RBI), Torres (reached base four times including two walks), Gurfein, and Salcedo (two ribbies). Catcher Isaac Ton delivered a 2-RBI double in the fourth and centerfielder Xiovany Ochoa added a triple.
AJ Flores improved to 4-3 on the mound with 5.2 innings, but the first five frames blanking the Long Beach bats before they got to him that big sixth inning. Matt Garcia threw 2.1 scoreless innings for the hold and closer Sergio Robles pitched the ninth for his third save. The PCC infield of Robles, Cisneros, and second baseman Logan Parker turned three double plays.
In the finale at home on Mar. 28, the Lancers trailed 2-0, then 4-2, but scored two in the fourth without benefit of a hit to take the lead for good in a 7-5 triumph. In that fourth inning, Cisneros and Ochoa drew walks and were sacrificed over on a bunt by Bauer. Torres then reached on a error by LBCC second baseman Cross Stephens that scored the two runners.
Torres again reached base four times (2-for-3 and two free passes), Bauer was 2-for-4, Ochoa scored two runs, drew two of the team's nine walks, was hit by a pitch and hit a sacrifice fly, and backup Joey Ramos delivered a RBI single in the eighth for a key insurance run. Starter Jonathan Bracamonte improved to 3-0 with 5.1 innings (seven hits, four runs) before the team's impressive bullpen duo of Garcia and Robles took over.
Garcia, a returning All-Conference reliever, shut the door with two no-hit innings, then Robles earned his fourth save. The sophomore sidewinder stranded two runners in relief of Garcia in the eighth. In the ninth, he was touched for a run, but with two runners on got Carson Slager to line out to Bauer in right field for the game's final out.
Cisneros, also a sophomore, leads the Lancers in batting with a .348 average and 27 RBI in 27 games. He is currently in a 13-game hitting streak with 22 ribbies, only being held without a run driven in during two of those games.
"Omar has been a team leader in so many ways and is perhaps the best defensive shortstop in the state," said PCC head coach Pat McGee, who picked up his 125th SCC career victory and 220th overall win on Saturday.
"His improvement from his freshman year is really impressive and his bat has been so clutch for us. Our relief pitching with Sergio and Matt have lifted us in conference play. Our overall defense has been a huge part of our success. Chris has done a great job at the hot corner and his team-best .487 on-base percentage has made him huge offensively. Xiovany and Luke (1.000 fielding percentage in 63 chances) have manned the outfield well as freshmen."
Cisneros has been especially outstanding in the field as he has a .984 fielding percentage, state-best among shortstops, with just two errors all season while turning a conference-leading 21 double plays (also leads state shortstops). Cisneros made an amazing 11-assist, defensive effort recently in a win v. Golden West. His 89 assists overall are sixth in California.
The Lancers are seventh in the state and tops in the SCC in team fielding with a .973 percentage.
PCC will be tested this week in a 3-game series v. defending 3C2A state champion Mt. San Antonio, beginning with a road contest on Tuesday, Mar. 31. Game time is 2 p.m. The Mounties are down this season with a 14-15 overall record, but are in second place in the South Coast at 11-4 behind leader El Camino at 13-2.