Pasadena City College’s Holguin Fires 1st Complete Game Win By A PCC Pitcher In 8 Years

Isaac Holguin scattered eight hits and retired the last 13 batters in order to throw the first complete-game victory by a Pasadena City College baseball pitcher in eight years on Tuesday as the Lancers defeated El Camino College-Compton Center, 10-2. The South Coast Conference game was played at Brookside Park’s Jackie Robinson Memorial Field.

Holguin, a sophomore righthander from Arcadia’s Rio Hondo Prep, finished strong as he struck out the final two batters. He walked just one batter and hurled 108 pitches overall. The last complete game by a PCC pitcher was an 8-inning performance by Jason Marquez in a 4-2 road loss at Cerritos on April 1, 2014. The last 9-inning CG was turned in by knuckleballer Tim Shiba in a 4-3 loss to Victor Valley on Feb. 9, 2013.

But the last time a PCC pitcher went the distance to win was Sergio Guzman, who allowed seven hits and struck out 12 in a 9-inning, 3-1 win at Mt. San Antonio on April 24, 2008. Michael Frisina was the last Lancer before Holguin to turn the trick on the JRF home mound on April 3 that same season in a 5-hitter over Los Angeles City, 8-1.

PCC’s offense once again put up the magic tonic–a double digit scoring effort–as the Lancers are a perfect 7-0 this year when they score 10 or more runs. The Lancers improved to 9-19 overall and 3-10 in conference.

Leading the attack was letterman rightfielder Anthony Rabito, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI. Second-year catcher Justin Cage also was 3-for-5 with two RBI. Sophomore first baseman Joe Quire continued his torrid streak of getting on base as the lefty swinger was 2-for-3 with two walks.

Since March 3, Quire has reached safely 33 times in his last 58 plate appearances (.569 on-base percentage). In his last 14 games, he is hitting .457 with 21 hits, including eight doubles, in the span as he has raised his overall batting average from .250 to .360. He is hitting .447 in conference play, second-best currently in the SCC.

Leftfielder Khari Vaughn picked up his first collegiate hit, a double down the left field line in the fourth inning.

On Monday, Cerritos finished off a 3-game series sweep over the Lancers, 14-5, at Brookside Park. In the loss, leftfielder Brandon Benson batted 3-for-5 with a double and defensively gunned out one runner at the plate with a throw and another at second base to prevent a double. Designated hitter Jeremy Conant added three hits as well as Rabito.

On April 9, Holguin allowed just five hits over seven innings (two earned runs) in a 3-1 loss against the Falcons.

Coach Pat McGee’s Lancers resume their series against Compton on the road on Thursday, April 14 in a 2:30 p.m. first pitch.