Oh Mercy: Pitchers 21 Straight Shutout Innings, Softball Extends Win Streak to 9

The Pasadena City College softball team recorded its fourth consecutive, 5-inning mercy shutout to cap a host doubleheader Friday, routing Glendale College, 8-0, then Golden West, 11-0, at Robinson Park. PCC extended its winning streak to nine games while the pitching staff has not allowed a run in the last 21 innings.

Friday's wins followed Thursday's, 8-0, South Coast Conference North Division triumph at Chaffey, a team that the Lancers lost to in the first round of divisional play, 7-2, on February 27. The mercy streak started with an 8-0 win over visiting Rio Hondo on Tuesday. PCC outscored its four opponents, 35-0, during a week's worth of action.

After being under .500 at 8-9, Pasadena is 17-9 overall and 4-2 in second place in the SCC North. In the wacky world of RPI, the Lancers actually fell to No. 13 in SoCal after being as high as No. 9 this week due to the low win percentages of non-conference opponents Glendale and Golden West. However, the team's remaining schedule includes games mostly v. better than-.500 teams and two v. Mt. San Antonio, ranked No. 2 in the most recent state poll and currently tops in RPI. The team's number of victories along with RPI and other factors all contribute to playoff postseason seedings.

Against Glendale in the morning opener, Angel Wintercorn dominated with 10 strikeouts in a 1-hitter. Wintercorn nearly notched her second no-hitter of the season, only allowing a single to Arlene Osnaya in the third inning on a fly ball lost in the sun by centerfielder Angel Urbina. Wintercorn hit the next batter, then retired the final nine Vaqueros in order to improve to 8-3 in the circle.

While Urbina and third baseman Angelica Lopez each batted 2-for-3, the Lancers offense was highlighted by its base stealing. PCC swiped 10 bases, including three each by second baseman Alex Howard and rightfielder Leilani Montanez, and two by leftfielder Briana Hernandez. The Lancers are now tied for second in the state in team steals with 89, led by Howard's 21.

Britney Lopez (6-4) fired a 3-hitter in her shutout over Golden West. The Lancers coasted after scoring six runs in the first and five more in the third. Hernandez and Howard each batted 2-for-3 with two RBI a piece. Hot-hitting designated player/outfielder Nathalia Velasquez also was 2-for-3 with a booming double. She was 1-for-1 with two walks v. Glendale. The freshman slugger leads the team in batting with a .471 average.

In the Chaffey victory, Jordan Lousararian got the win with four strong innings, scattering four hits while Wintercorn threw a scoreless fifth. Angelica Lopez slugged her third home run of the season in the first inning and Velasquez batted 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Steady fielding shortstop Kaylee Medrano was 2-for-2 with a double.

"Our pitchers are pounding the zone (with strikes) and that's all you can ask for," said PCC head coach Monica Tantlinger. "They are consistently challenging hitters and coming out on top! On offense, our kids on the basepaths create a constant source of pressure on other teams. Every player knows they could be put in a position to steal. I love that. We are playing some of our best softball of the season and just need to keep our winning attitude."

On Tuesday, April 3, the Lancers visit first-place Mt. San Antonio in a 5 p.m. evening first pitch. 

ANGELICA LOPEZ EARNS 3CFCA PLAYER OF WEEK HONORS

For the second time this season, a PCC softball player won the state player of the week award by the 3CFCA. Sophomore transfer Angelica Lopez won for week #7 following Britney Lopez (no relation) pitcher of the week honors for week #1.

In three games, all PCC victories, Lopez batted 7-for-11 (.636) with two walks (.692 on-base), three doubles and six RBI (.909 slugging pct). In the team's 9-2 win at Orange Coast, she went a perfect 5-for-5 with three doubles. Lopez transferred from Odessa College in Texas after helping lead La Serna High School (Whittier) to the 2015 CIF Southern Section Division 3 title.

http://www.cccaasports.org/sports/sball/2017-18/releases/3CFCA_POW