Raider Tello Breaks PCC's Baseball Hits Record

Raider Tello broke the Pasadena City College baseball program's school record for hits in a season with 77 during the Lancers SoCal Regional playoff series v. Palomar on May 7. Tello will leave PCC with four school records in his name.

Tello busted out of the only batting slump he had all season (0-for-15) with a RBI single in the sixth inning of PCC's 9-7 victory on Saturday to tie the record of 75, set by Gabe Arellano in 2019. In his first at bat in the first inning of game #3 of the series, Tello roped a double to break the record. He added his team-leading eighth home run in the seventh for his 77th hit. 

His 77 hits lead the state (Arellano led the state in '19). The 6-foot, 205-pounder from Arcadia High set three other single-season school records including most RBI (53), most doubles (19), and most at-bats with 191. The All-South Coast Conference shortstop's .639 slugging percentage is second behind PCC record holder Zack Kalter's .693 (2004). His team-best .403 average is fourth highest in PCC history as is his 42 runs scored. 

In 42 games played, Tello had 21 multiple hits games, including two 5-hit games, three 4-hit games, and six 3-hit contests. He hit safely in 37 of the 42 games. He drove in one RBI in at least 25 games, two ribbies in each of 15 games. Tello started his collegiate career on a 21-game hitting streak and scored a run in each of his first 12 games. 

Centerfielder Max Blessinger also made his mark in his lone season at PCC. After transferring here from Dallas Baptist University, Blessinger set the PCC record for most runs scored in a season with 53. His 48 RBI also would have broken the single-season record if not for teammate Tello (the previous high was 44 by Jeremy Conant in 2017). His 67 hits is tied for 13th in the state, but stands tied for third in PCC history with Conant. His 185 at-bats is tied for third with Jose Jimenez (2018). 

Blessinger, who batted .362 and led the team in on-base percentage for regulars with 100 plate appearances at .460, hit safely in 38 of the team's 43 games. The Maranatha High product produced 20 multiple hit games, had a streak of 21 straight games of crossing home plate at least once. He drove in at least RBI in 24 games and reached base via hit or walk in all but four games. Blessinger was the CCCSIA State Athlete of the Month for March, the first time a PCC baseball player has ever received the state award. He was named to the All-SCC First Team. 

First baseman Jake Trabbie (.247, 21 RBI) drew a team-high 33 walks this season, the second highest total in PCC history behind Marco Martinez's 36 base on balls in 2019. With his team-high 15 hit-by-pitches, Trabbie's 48 combined free passes is easily a PCC record. Trabbie also led the squad in fielding percentage at .994 in a team-high 337 chances. Blessinger and Trabbie were the only Lancers to play in all 43 games.

Second baseman Andrew Scannell (.248, 31 RBI) led the Lancers in triples with four while leftfielder Aryonis Harrison (.287) was the team leader in stolen bases with 10.

All-SCC reliever Benny Olguin led the pitching staff in innings pitched (71.2), in strikeouts (68), and in ERA at 2.51. His team-high seven victories places him tied for second with five others for most in a PCC single season. 

Nine different Lancers drove in at least 15 RBI.