PCC Season Opener: Softball Holds Off AVC, 5-4

While the Pasadena City College softball team may not enter the 2016 season as strong offensively as the school record-setting home run slugging ’15 Lancers, PCC and head coach Monica Tantlinger thinks this year’s team could be a better all-around squad featuring a balance of defense, speed, hitting and pitching.

All of that was on display Wednesday when the Lancers downed Antelope Valley, 5-4, in the season opener at Robinson Park. PCC freshman relief pitcher Alyssa Madrid wiggled her way out of a bases loaded jam to earn the save after starter and sophomore transfer Raeleen Fuentes (from East Los Angeles College) pitched six strong innings for the circle win.

With the tying run on third and the bases loaded, Madrid (Coronado High) struck out one hitter and then got Priscilla Panizo to hit a soft one-hopper to shortstop Anais Sustayta who fired to first for the game-ending out.

Fuentes retired the first eight hitters and was locked in a scoreless duel with AVC starter Tawnee Hegre into the fifth inning. The Lancers scored three runs in the bottom of the frame including a RBI infield single to shortstop by freshman Karina Moreno (Hoover High), a double steal that saw designated player Jahaira Badillo (Bell Gardens) score from third, and a wild pitch that plated the third run.

PCC upped the lead to 5-1 with two run in the sixth on RBI singles by rightfielder Cynthia McKeehan (Arroyo) and Moreno, who has big shoes to fill as she takes over the position held last year by All-South Coast Conference First Teamer and PCC Women’s Athlete of the Year for 2014-15–Justine Zavala.

Returning from last year’s 21-17 squad is All-SoCal Region selection and single-season home run record holder in catcher Holly Riker-Sloan, letterman shortstop Sustayta, centerfielder Derek Blow, and reserve catcher Raquel Edmonds.

From two years ago and Tantlinger’s debut season of 2014, returning our first baseman-outfielder Karen Najera and pitcher Alissa Barcena.

The team’s freshmen crop features starters in rightfielder Kelly Bernal (Garfield) and hard-throwing third baseman Brittany Ching (Covina). Moreno and Bernal each had two hits for the Lancers. Badillo stole two bases and Riker-Sloan roped a double to left in her first at bat of the season.

“We lost a few players from last year that were energy ladies for us, but I think we have a really good group this season,” said Tantlinger, in her third season in charge of the Lancers. “We battled against Antelope Valley and manufactured runs, something we are capable of doing. Both of our pitchers delivered to help our team win. We turned in a double steal and we have players off our bench that can run the bases well.”

PCC plays at Moorpark College on Friday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.

A complete look at the 2016 Lancers roster can be found on our website at:
http://www.pasadena.edu/athletics/softball/players.cfm

Jan. 27 Game Box: http://www.cccaastats.org/sports/sball/2015-16/boxscores/20160127_dwi6.xml