PCC Spring Preview: Softball Expects Improvement In 2015

With the return of two key players from two seasons ago, the Pasadena City College softball team thinks it can make big strides in the 2015 season, according to second-year head coach Monica Tantlinger.

Tantlinger’s Lancers finished 13-25 last season, a learning year for the the coach.

“I made the transition from being an assistant to a head coach,” she said. “The players were learning the college game, and I was learning more about leadership and the day-to-day direction of a group of student-athletes. I know the areas that we have to work on to be better this season.”

The Lancers are excited to return All-South Coast Conference First Team infielder Katelyn Thordarson, who sat out last year after leading PCC in a number of top batting categories in 2013. Thordarson hit .392 as a freshman with two home runs, three triples and 29 RBI. The team’s shortstop that year, Thordarson (from Maranatha High) will transition herself to be corner infielder at both first base and third base.

Another returner from the ’13 Lancers is Cierra Newton (Marshall Fundamental), who is slated as the team’s pitching ace this season. Newton hurled 136.1 innings and led PCC in pitching victories with 8.

“This fall, Cierra found a way to get it done, and I expect her maturity to lead our our other pitchers through the season,” Tantlinger said. “Katelyn is determined to continue to be the slugger she was as a freshman. She has power, something we lacked last year.”

Another key returning player is 2014 All-SCC Second Team second baseman Justine Zavala (Los Altos High). Zavala batted .340 and fielded at a .934 percentage as the team’s best defensive infielder last season. Other returning lettermen from Tantlinger’s debut PCC team are designated player/first baseman Jennifer Pegg (Temple City HS, hit .319 with 14 RBI), utility player/pitcher Breanna Rodrigo (Temple City, .291, led PCC with 21 stolen bases, pitched 80.2 innings with five victories in the circle), and reserve first baseman Lyandra Opbroek (Covina High, .273 in brief action).

The team’s freshmen crop is topped by catcher Holly Riker-Sloan, a veteran player who played her prep ball and graduated from Gahr High in 2009. Sloan hit .500 as a senior that year and Tantlinger feels she will be a “presence on both defense and offense.”

Another quality freshman is shortstop Anais Sustayta, who helped Cantwell Sacred Heart make it to the CIF-SS Division 6 championship final as a senior last year.

“Justine and Ani give us one of the best up-the-middle infield defensive combos in the conference,” Tantlinger said. “The dynamics between these two are exciting to watch. It’s going to help our pitching staff if we can get the ball hit on the ground.”

Outfielder/first baseman Derek “Mudder” Blow made the Pasadena Star-News All-Area Team after batting .500 with 26 RBI in her senior season at Monrovia High. Blow helped Monrovia win the Rio Hondo League title.

Outfielder Yecenia Cardenas, an All-Valle Vista League First Team selection out of Hacienda Heights’ Wilson High, batted .493 with 23 RBI as a senior. Cardenas and letterman Rodrigo are expected to give the Lancers speed on the basepaths.

Pitcher/outfielder Brianna Lopez (Los Angeles Marshall High) and hard-hitting third baseman Jackie Aguilar (Lincoln HS, .521, four home runs, 38 RBI senior year) originally were headed to Mayville State University in North Dakota but instead will display their talents for the Lancers. Aguilar played in the LA City Section All-Star Game.

A pitcher who could emerge is Adriana Fernandez, who hurled 11 wins and struck out 109 batters in 106 innings at Workman High. Fernandez was an All-Montview League First Team selection and a candidate for league MVP. She also has power at the plate as she slugged eight home runs her final prep season.

The rest of the freshmen on PCC’s 18-player roster are as follows: Alyssa Borja (catcher/second baseman, Gabrielino High, Michelle Lopez, outfielder, Pasadena High, Raquel “Rocky” Edmonds, catcher, San Marino HS, Alejandra Grimaldo, utility player, Burbank Burroughs High, and Mariah Quintana, outfielder/catcher, South El Monte High.

“I really believe that we have enough offense and defense to get us higher in the standings,” Tantlinger said. “I think it’s our pitching that will dictate how we go. If we can hold down the better hitting opponents, we have a chance to really make noise this season.”

Tantlinger has added Nolan Peralta, Jose Quezada, and LeNae Sanchez to her assistant coaching staff with holdover pitching coach Stephanie Marshall.

PCC begins the ’15 campaign Tuesday, Jan. 27 in a 2 p.m. game at Antelope Valley College. On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Lancers have their home opener v. Moorpark at Robinson Park (2 p.m.). Pasadena opens South Coast Conference play on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Cerritos College (3 p.m.)