Chacon Lifts Softball In Extra Innings, Now 5-1 In SCC

Catcher Jennie Chacon keyed a seventh-inning rally to tie the game, then knocked in the go-ahead run in the extra eighth inning to give the Pasadena City College softball team an exciting, 4-3 win at Chaffey College. PCC improves to 5-1 in South Coast Conference games and won its sixth in the last seven contests.

With Chaffey leading 3-2, Chacon, a freshman from Crescenta Valley High, led off the seventh with a single. She scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by letterman first baseman Amanda Flores, a player who known for her clutch at bats late in games as a freshman.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Panthers were poised to win as they loaded the bases with one out. However, PCC reliever Vivian Little retired the next two batters on fly ball outs to send the game to extra innings.

In the eighth, the Lancers placed runners on first and second on an error and walk. That brought up Chacon who ripped a RBI double to right center scoring pinch runner Danielle Ruiz, who made a nice hook slide after the incoming throw to home beat her to the plate.

In the bottom of the eighth, Little worked around a walk and then struck out the final two hitters to clinch the victory. PCC upped its overall record to 8-4 while the lefty-throwing Little remained perfect in the circle at 5-0.

Chacon was 2-for-4 overall, rightfielder Olivia Nanez went 2-for-2 with a double, centerfielder Gabi Perez batted 2-for-4 with a triple, and designated player Samantha Diaz also picked up two hits, including a double and stole two bases. Diaz scored on a double steal with shortstop Kaylee Medrano in the first inning. 

Chaffey (7-3, 4-2 in SCC play) had taken a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a solo home run by Denise Baires. 

Coach Monica Tantlinger's Lancers now face their biggest challenge of the 2019 season thus far in playing at defending CCCAA state champion Mt. San Antonio on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.