Softball Split v. Southwestern: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Rarely do you see doubleheaders with the bizarro results that occurred in the non-conference twinbill played on Friday between host Pasadena City College and Southwestern. A winless Jaguars team looked like a state contender in the opening game v. a shocked Lancers squad, mercying PCC, 13-1, in five innings. The Lancers then took control of the second game and showed some resiliency in winning 6-2.

"I'm glad we bounced back, but that huge swing of inconsistency will hurt us in the long run if we don't fix it," said PCC head coach Monica Tantlinger. "We have a lot of offensive power, so we have to make adjustments sooner. I'm just glad that pitcher Kiley Kraft came up with a big effort to lead us for the game 2 victory."

PCC (2-3 overall) came out flat in the opener, getting outhit, 16-4, and making two errors that led to seven unearned runs by Southwestern (1-5) in an 8-run, fifth. All nine Jaguars starters collected hits, including #8 hitter Mariah Mata batting 4-for-4 with two RBI. The Lancers avoided a shutout in the fifth as Giselle Lopez infield single brought in Marcella Ordonez, who ripped a ground-rule double to open the frame. 

After Tantlinger lectured the squad in between games, Kraft set the tone with an outstanding 7-inning, complete game, 6-hitter. The letterman hurler did not walk a batter and only blemish was a solo home run hit by SWC's Elyssa Garcia to lead off the fourth inning. The other run allowed was unearned. 

Offensively, PCC came out swinging as third baseman Jaimie Harris lined a home run over the left field fence and second baseman Gabi Perez belted a RBI double for a 2-0 first-inning lead. 

While the Jaguars momentarily tied it at 2-2, the Lancers responded immediately in the bottom of the fourth. Rightfielder Arlyne Ruiz and Kraft drew walks to start the inning and centerfielder Breanna Rodriguez dropped a perfect bunt single to load the bases. Ordonez lifted a long sacrifice fly to center for the go-ahead run as the other Pasadena baserunners alertly also tagged up and raced to second and third. Harris lined a RBI single to left. PCC made it 5-2 on a delayed double steal with Rodriguez racing home after Harris broke for second drawing the catcher's throw.

Overall, Harris was 2-for-4 as was leftfielder Olivia Nanez, who was stellar defensively. The returner from 2019-2020 made three catches and gunned out a runner at third in the opener, then totaled seven putouts in the second game including one ball that she made a circus catch going into the side fence in medium left field while staying on her feet despite crossing into the cement that separates the articifical turf down the line at Robinson Park. She made two other catches also going into foul territory. 

Rodriguez (1-for-2) stole three of the team's five swipes. Pinch-hitter Iliana Cardenas added an insurance run with a RBI single in the fifth. 

A number of Lancers are off to strong batting starts this season including Lopez (.362), who has driven in eight RBI in just five games, Harris (team-leading .462), catcher Alyssa Guzman and Perez each at .429, Nanez (.357) and Ordonez (.353).