After last year's home run show put on by South Coast Conference Co-Player of the Year Jaimie Harris, now graduated, the 2024 Pasadena City College softball team figured filling the power void would be difficult. Enter sophomore transfer first baseman Monica Gutierrez, who is already paying dividends with her long drives.
On Tuesday in PCC's home opener at Robinson Park, Gutierrez, who was the hero with a grand slam to beat Antelope Valley on Feb. 9, stepped up to the plate with the Lancers trailing Riverside City College, 5-4, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
She promptly launched a monster drive well over the left-center fence for a 2-run homer and a 6-5 lead. PCC went on to score four in the frame and won its second in a row, 9-7.
Gutierrez batted 2-for-4 with three RBI overall while centerfielder Alyssa Hernandez was 3-for-3, delivering an insurance run RBI single in the sixth, and stealing three bases. Letterman catcher Alyssa Guzman was 2-for-4, ripping two doubles.
Leiana Rodriguez had a bend-but-don't break start as she navigated through RCC's 14-hit attack (Alyssa Flores 4-for-4, four RBI) to pitch a complete-game victory. She retired the side in order in the seventh, striking out India Hester for the final out.
Eight of the team's starters collected at least one hit in PCC's 12-hit performance.
Pasadena (2-2 overall) next plays at Chaffey on Thursday, Feb. 15 in a 2:30 p.m. first pitch.
