Softball Ends Conference Losing Streak

Until Tuesday, the last time the Pasadena City College softball team won a South Coast Conference game was pre-pandemic on March 3, 2020 against Long Beach. The 2022 Lancers finally reached the SCC win board after 10 consecutive losses in defeating Los Angeles Harbor, 5-1, at Robinson Park.

Pasadena (6-17 overall) also moved into a tie with LA Harbor for seventh place in the conference. 

Kiley Kraft (5-3) had a perfect game broken up with one out in the fifth inning on a single by Harbor's Angelina Barrios. She finished with a complete-game, 3-hitter, did not surrender a walk, and recorded eight strikeouts. 

The Lancers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning without benefit of a hit. Marcella Ordonez was hit by a pitch and Kimberly Dea drew a walk. With two outs and Ordonez on third, Dea stole second as a wild pitch on the play scored Ordonez. The play didn't end there as Dea broke for third and scored herself when the Seahawks catcher's throw went for an error into left field. 

After Harbor cut PCC's lead to 2-1 on a sixth-inning double by Rosalie Alvarado, the Lancers hitters went to work in the bottom of the frame. Priscilla Ortega picked up her second hit of the game and would score on a ground-rule double to right-center by Kraft. Jaimie Harris then lined a double to right-center scoring pinch runner Mistie Mares. Designated player Vianey Orozco roped another RBI double to right to give PCC a 4-run cushion. 

"What we did in the sixth inning is something this team is capable of doing more often," said PCC head coach Monica Tantlinger. "We've worked hard to get out of this conference rut, and I'm happy for this group to taste winning in a very tough SCC this year. Kiley has pitched terrific for us all season and kept us ahead all game today."

On Thursday, Mar. 24, the Lancers will travel to face Rio Hondo College in a 2:30 p.m. SCC game.