Shortstop Jose Jimenez saw his 28-game hitting streak dating back to last year stopped along with the rest of the Pasadena City College baseball team's bats by Mt. San Antonio ace Mason Corneliussen in an 8-0, South Coast Conference North Division loss Tuesday at Brookside Park's Jackie Robinson Field. The setback snapped PCC's mini 3-game conference win streak.
Going into the contest, Jimenez had hit safely in all 21 games this season and the last seven games of the 2017 season. He last went hitless on April 22, 2017 against East Los Angeles. Against Corneliuseen, Jimenez went 0-for-4 and grounded out to third base in the ninth inning. Corneliussen (5-0) 3-hit the Lancers, allowing just one walk and striking out seven. PCC starter and losing pitcher Gordon Ingebritson (5-2) hurled 7.2 innings, touched for 11 hits, but only two earned runs.
First baseman Jason Ajamian hit a lead-off double in the third inning before Corneliussen shut down the next three PCC batters in order. Ingebritson hurled three shutout innings to match Corneliussen. In the fourth, the Lancer turned wild, walking two and hitting consecutive batters to bring in the Mounties' first run. Mt. SAC scored four runs in the eighth to break it open.
Ranked No. 19 in the Coach's Association SoCal Rankings, PCC is 13-9 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Ranked No. 4 in this week's first CCCSIA State Top 20, Mt. SAC improved to 18-6 and is 8-1 to lead the SCC North.
On Monday, the Lancers rallied from down 6-4 on a 3-run double by designated hitter Tony Shue in the eighth inning to defeat host Compton, 7-6. Earlier in the sixth, Jimenez launched a 2-RBI double as PCC erased a 3-0 deficit and took a 4-3 lead. Shue batted 3-for-5 with three RBI while second baseman Ryan Lewis was 2-for-4 and Jimenez 2-for-5.
Race Gardner pitched three innings of relief for the win and Nathan Garkow picked up his team-leading third save with a scoreless ninth.
The Lancers are scheduled to continue their 3-game series v. the Mounties at Mt. San Antonio on Thursday, Mar. 22 weather permitting.