Freshmen Impress As Softball Opens SCC Play With Giant Win

The Pasadena City College softball team pounded out 14 hits and Elena Bahnimtewa tossed a 2-hitter as the Lancers opened South Coast Conference play with a 17-0, 5-inning rout over Compton at Robinson Park on Thursday. PCC is 1-2 overall while Compton played its 2020 season opener. 

It was a big day for the freshmen crop as first baseman Katelyn Wooton batted 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and four RBI, including three deep bullets off the barrell. Second baseman Ahylie Rosales went 3-for-3 with a walk and three runs scored while catcher Melony Hernandez was 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two RBI. Third baseman Desiree Huerta was 1-for-3, rightfielder Miranda Padilla (1-for-2), and reserve leftfielder Ashley Guzman went 1-for-1 with a RBI. In all, the frosh crew combined to bat 11-for-18 (.611).

Bahnimtewa struck out the side in the fifth to close out her first collegiate shutout/win. She totaled seven Ks and allowed just one walk. Compton's only run-scoring threat came in the opening frame when Troy Peters roped a triple to center with two outs. But Bahnimtewa got the next hitter to fly out to left to keep the Tartars off the board. 

The Lancers sophomores also kept the bases occupied frequently, especially the No. 1 and 2 hitters in the lineup. Leadoff batter and rightfielder Samantha Diaz and No. 2 batter and shortstop Danielle Ruiz each went 1-for-2 with three walks a piece. They combined for five runs, three RBI and three stolen bases (two by Ruiz). Centerfielder Olivia Nanez was 1-for-4 with two RBI. 

In all and just four innings of work, PCC totaled 25 baserunners (14 hits, eight walks, three hit-by-pitches) v. two Compton pitchers. 

In the all-time series v. Compton, the Lancers have 10 won in a row since losing the 2015 season finale v. the Tartars. Compton is dedicating its season to Erin Lavender, a utility player who was murdered in a shooting in December in Carson. A moment of silence was performed prior to the game in memory of Lavender as well as the victims of Sunday's tragic helicopter crash.

Pasadena hosts 2019 state runner-up Palomar today (Friday, Jan. 31) in a 12 p.m. non-conference contest.