The Pasadena City College softball team knows the importance of RPI in its non-conference schedule and again went up against two strong SoCal teams on Saturday. The Lancers lost to host #3 RPI Cypress, 8-2, then rallied to beat .700 winning percentage San Diego Mesa, 7-6, as their own RPI rose to #13 in the region.

PCC is 4-4 overall, including a sparkling 3-0 in South Coast Conference play. Against undefeated Cypress (4-0), Chargers pitcher Janea Brannen carried a no hitter into the seventh, but centerfielder Olivia Nanez ripped a double and leftfielder Miranda Padilla a RBI single to end the loss on a high note. 

Against Mesa (7-3), the Lancers fell behind 4-0, then struck for four runs in the bottom of the second inning, highlighted by a 2-RBI double to left by second baseman Ahylie Rosales. In the third, PCC pulled ahead, 6-4, thanks to offense from the pitching staff. With two outs, sophomore ace Austyn Helmuth pinch hit and drew a bases-loaded walk, then Elena Bahnimtewa, who came into the game as a reliever, stroked a RBI single to center.

The Olympians tied it at 6-6 with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. With a 2-hour time limit approaching, Rosales and Bahnimtewa singled to start the sixth. With two outs, rightfielder Samantha Diaz drew a walk to load the bases. Shortstop Danielle Ruiz was then hit by a pitch that scored Rosales for the game-winning RBI. 

In the sixth, Helmuth took the circle and promptly recorded a 1-2-3 inning for her second save. Bahimtewa picked up her third pitching win with three innings of 4-hit ball (one earned run). Rosales and Bahnimtewa each were 2-for-2 overall and Ruiz reached base safely in all four of her plate appearances, including a basehit, two walks and her HBP at bat to win it. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Lancers host Glendale College in a 2:30 p.m. non-conference game at Robinson Park.