Sophomore Catcher Medrano Delivers As Softball Wins SCC North Opener
After six straight losses, the Pasadena City College softball team faced another deficit on Tuesday night when the Lancers fell behind host East Los Angeles, 4-0. With two outs and trailing 4-3 in the sixth inning, Lancers' catcher Jeneve Medrano, batting ninth in the team's order, came up with runners on second and third. The letterman drew the count to 3-2 and then calmly ripped a line drive, 2-RBI single to center field as the Lancers not only stopped their losing streak but opened South Coast Conference North Division play with a 7-4 victory.
After six straight losses, the Pasadena City College softball team faced another deficit on Tuesday night when the Lancers fell behind host East Los Angeles, 4-0. With two outs and trailing 4-3 in the sixth inning, Lancers' catcher Jeneve Medrano, batting ninth in the team's order, came up with runners on second and third. The letterman drew the count to 3-2 and then calmly ripped a line drive, 2-RBI single to center field as the Lancers not only stopped their losing streak but opened South Coast Conference North Division play with a 7-4 victory.
Medrano finished with three RBI, also hitting a sacrifice fly in the fourth that cut it to 4-2. In the bottom of the frame, she fired up the troops when rightfielder Leilani Montanez made a perfect one-hop throw to home and Medrano put the tag on Destiny Avena ending the inning. Medrano took exception to a hard slide with both players exchanging words, but in the process she raised the energy level in the PCC dugout. After her game-winning hit, second baseman Angelica Lopez belted a 2-run homer over the left field fence in the top of the seventh for insurance runs.
Leftfielder Briana Hernandez hit the ball hard all evening, going 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Centerfielder Angel Urbina, who was an All-SCC selection two years ago, hit a RBI double as part of the team's comeback.
Another reason for the end of the losing string was the team's bullpen. Jordan Lousararian relieved starter Britney Lopez and hurled 2.1 shutout innings, allowing just one hit, to pick up the circle victory. Then Angel Wintercorn earned the save with two more innings of scoreless relief, allowing only one hit and striking out three.
Pasadena (6-6 overall) plays at Rio Hondo College Thursday, Feb. 22 in a 3 p.m. conference game.
