One thing for sure about first-year, Pasadena CIty College softball head coach Audriana Gutierrez. She'll always remember her first HC victory as her Lancers rallied from 6-1 down after five innings and won 7-6 at Antelope Valley College thanks to a grand slam home run by Monica Gutierrez with the team down to its final out in the top of the seventh.
Gutierrez HR is at 1:56.30 of the live stream from AVC, click here
PCC (1-2) started things in the sixth when leftfielder Alexis Garcia roped a RBI double and centerfielder Alysa Hernandez scored on a passed ball to cut the AVC lead to three.
With one out in the seventh, second baseman Leiana Rodriguez singled and shortstop Breanna Negrete reached on an error. After catcher Alyssa Guzman moved the runners over on a groundout to third, PCC was down to its final out. Third baseman Adriana Valdez drew a walk to load the bases.
That brought up Gutierrez, a sophomore transfer first baseman. She promptly launched a towering grand slam well over the centerfield fence as she was mobbed by teammates following her epic drive.
Things weren't done though as winning pitcher Ivy Avalos gave up two singles and eventually had runners on first and third and no outs. Avalos, a letterman, retired the next three batters in order, getting AVC's Natasha Arroyo to fly out to Hernandez for the final out.
Avalos pitched all seven innings for the complete game, making 122 pitches and stranding the bases loaded by AVC in both the second and fourth innings.
"I'm so proud of our players for working together because I know Monica put us in the lead, but just to come back from down to our final out. They had each others backs," said Coach Gutierrez. "I wouldn't change anything about this first win because it was an intense game and the way they left it all out there. It will be one to remember."
Guzman batted 2-for-4 while Gutierrez also collected two hits (2-for-3). Coach Gutierrez said she thinks she may have her best defensive lineup going forward.
"With so many utility players, I feel like in this game we really found where everybody is working best at particular positions. So I'm happy to see that puzzle coming together."
The Lancers are scheduled to host Riverside City College next on Tuesday, Feb. 13 in a 2:30 contest at PCC's off-campus home diamond--Robinson Park at 1081 Fair Oaks Ave.