Pitching, Stealing (Bases, Not Signs) Ignite Softball's 5-Game Win Streak

Relying on strong pitching and an offense predicated on runners in motion as often as possible, the Pasadena City College softball team has won five consecutive games, including Tuesday's 6-1, South Coast Conference victory over an equally red-hot Long Beach City College squad.

PCC (10-7 overall, 6-3 in the SCC) stopped LBCC's 7-game win streak as the Vikings fell to 9-6 and 6-4 in conference. The Lancers have had recent success over a strong LBCC program, winning the last three meetings by a combined score of 27-2. Pasadena is currently tied for second place in the SCC with East Los Angeles while state #1-ranked Mt. San Antonio tops the 9-team league at 8-0.

Pasadena leads the region in stolen bases (56, second in state) and its pitching staff has exhibited excellent control as it is fifth in the state in lowest walks per 7 innings ratio (1.44). Against LBCC at the Lancers off-campus home diamond Robinson Park, it was another outstanding combined pitching performance by starter Elena Bahnimtewa (4.1 innings, two hits, one run) and reliever Austyn Helmuth (2.2 innings, one hit, one walk, three strikeouts). Bahnimtewa remains undefeated in her freshman season at now 6-0 in the circle while the sophomore Helmuth recorded her state-leading fourth save. 

During the team's 5-game win streak, Helmuth pitched in all five contests, recording three wins and two saves. She totaled 21.1 innings, allowing only 14 hits, four runs (two earned), an ERA of just 0.66, four walks and struck out eight. The San Dimas High product and an All-SCC Second Team selection as a freshman leads all conference pitchers with 65.2 innings and her 16 appearances is fifth in the state. 

The offense was led by third baseman Samantha Diaz, who batted 2-for-3 with three runs scored and three stolen bases. In the first inning, Diaz doubled in a run and first baseman Katelyn Wooton's hit a line drive sacrifice fly to center that gave PCC a 2-0 cushion and all the runs it would need. Leftfielder Olivia Nanez and rightfielder Valley Febles each batted 2-for-3 while leftfielder Miranda Padilla and second baseman Ahylie Rosales were 2-for-4 in a 12-hit Lancers attack. 

"Elena and Austyn have consistently been putting us in positions to remain competitive in games," said PCC head coach Monica Tantlinger. "They work well together and are completely bought in to what we are asking of them. They are so different in the circle, it gives us options to keep opposing teams off balance.

"Offensively, we have a number of players who are fast on the basepaths and a few who can reach base in a moment's notice with a well-placed bunt. We pride ourselves on trying to pressure opponents when we steal a base or try to take an extra base on a hit. The idea is to get players into scoring position. Right now, we are doing a good job of getting runners across the plate."

Shortstop Danielle Ruiz is third in the state in stolen bases with 17 while Diaz is tied for seventh on 11 steals. 

On Feb. 28 at Citrus College, Helmuth was a force as the winning pitcher in both games as PCC swept a doubleheader, defeating the host Owls, 7-4, then knocking off state #7-ranked Santa Ana, 3-1. Not ranked in the most current State Top 15 coach's poll or the regional top 10, PCC led 6-0 v. Citrus before the Owls stormed back with four runs to slice the lead to two. Helmuth relieved Bahnimtewa with a runner on third and one out in the fourth, but retired the last two Citrus batters to keep the 2-run lead. The letterman went on to hurl 3.2 innings of 3-hit shutout ball for the circle win. It was big game for Rosales, who was 2-for-2 and knocked in four runs with a single, double and a sacrifice fly. 

Against Santa Ana, Helmuth took the start and fired a 3-hit, complete game, allowing no walks in what Tantlinger said, "Austyn was dealing and that was probably the best game I've have ever seen her throw." Helmuth retired the last 14 Santa Ana batters in order. In the third inning, she wiggled out of a one out, second-and-third jam without giving up a run. 

Wooton hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning and delivered an insurance RBI in the third, singling in Nanez, who had ripped a RBI ground-rule double that gave PCC a 2-1 lead. Ruiz got the rally going with a single up the middle and stolen base. Nanez batted 2-for-4 while Ruiz and catcher Jennie Chacon each collected two steals. 

The Lancers will try to keep their winning ways going as they travel to face Cerritos College on Thursday, Mar. 5 in a 3 p.m. first pitch.