Softball Rally Comes Up Short v. State #4 Mt. SAC, 6-5

Down to its final out, the Pasadena City College softball team scored three runs and placed the potential tying run on third base before losing to state No. 4-ranked Mt. San Antonio, 6-5, Thursday afternoon in a South Coast Conference North Division battle at Robinson Park.

The Lancers (7-8 overall, 2-2 in conference) trailed 6-1 after four innings thanks mostly to a pair of 2-run homers over the left field fence by Mounties' third baseman Ciera Granado. PCC's defense didn't help with three errors. 

In the fourth, Pasadena pinch hitter Jazmine Cabrera hit a RBI single to cut it to 6-2. It remained that way until two outs in the seventh when first baseman Amanda Flores singled to left to put runners on first and second. Leftfielder Briana Hernandez then hit a clutch opposite field double to left center that scored two runs and sliced the lead to 6-4. Centerfielder Angel Urbina kept the rally alive with a single to center and when Mt. SAC outfielder Jayda Reyes throw to home was wild and hit the top of the backstop, Hernandez came around to score and Urbina raced all the way to third. 

That brought up third baseman Kaylee Medrano but Mounties' ace Briana Wheeler (7-0) struck her out looking to complete Mt. SAC's 12th consecutive victory. 

"I liked our fight today," said PCC head coach Monica Tantlinger. "We were looking to play good softball and bounce back after a not so good outing against Chaffey. I was happy with our approach. Our pitchers worked well today, but a key kid (Granado) for them beat us. We're looking forward to getting back out there and start to get back on a roll."

Jordan Lousararian (2-2) took the loss while Britney Lopez (2.2 innings, four hits) and Angel Wintercorn (one hitless inning) threw shutout relief. Urbina batted 2-for-3, Flores was 1-for-2 with two walks, and catcher Jeneve Medrano was 1-for-2 with a RBI single.

PCC was scheduled to host Glendale College Friday, March 2 in a 1 p.m. non-conference game, weather permitting. Pasadena completed its first round of conference-only games and won't be back in North Division action until March 22. However, the Lancers have 10 games against non-conference opponents prior to Round 2 (of 3) including a swing of SCC crossovers with the South Division.