Genesis Ramirez broke a 5-5 tie with a two-out, RBI double in the sixth inning in helping the Pasadena City College softball team to a 7-5, South Coast Conference win at Rio Hondo College on Monday afternoon.
Serving as the host team, PCC led 5-1, but Rio Hondo tied it with four runs in the fourth.
In the bottom of the sixth, third baseman Mistie Mares reached on a walk, then stole second. Ramirez, who batted 2-for-3, ripped a drive to the left-center field gap as the clutch two-bagger knocked in Mares. Centerfielder Marissa Moreno lifted a RBI single in front of a diving RHC rightfielder for an insurance run.
Pitcher Mariah Vazquez finished the complete-game, victory as she set down the Roadrunners in order with first baseman Adriana Valdez making an over-the-shoulder catch on a pop up in foul territy for the final out. Vazquez was hurt by four PCC errors, but was able to scatter seven hits, allow no earned runs, walk two and strike out four. The freshman stranded nine Rio Hondo baserunners.
Catcher Aileen Melendres hit 2-for-3 with two RBI while shortstop Breanna Negrete was 1-for-3, scored two runs, and made a nice defensive play when she fielded a ball up the middle and dove to the bag for a fielder's choice putout.
Coach Audriana Gutierrez' Lancers (4-17 overall) moved into sixth place in the 9-team, SCC at 4-10.
ADDITION 4/1-RECAPS OF OTHER CONTESTS HIGHLIGHTS
On March 21, PCC lost at Compton, 9-5, despite a 2-for-4, three RBI day (triple) by second baseman Alexis Garcia. In an 11-3, 7-inning loss at LA Harbor on March 27, Garcia slugged a home run and a double with two RBI. PCC played a twinball at LA Mission on March 29, losing 9-1 and 10-9 in a game that went nine innings.
In the second contest, the Lancers saw an 8-1 lead slip away as LA Mission tied it in the seventh on an Ava Arroyo RBI basehit. The Lancers took a 9-8 lead in the top of the ninth on a Valdez run-scoring single. But in the bottom of the frame, the Eagles responded with a walk-off, two-out, 2-RBI single by Erika Deniz.
The Lancers recorded a season-high 17 hits, led by three hits each from Moreno (plus two walks, three runs scored), Valdez (double, three ribbies), Negrete (double, two runs driven in), and Melendres. Mares batted 2-for-5 with three RBI while outfielder Lucero Alcaraz roped a double.
Pasadena plays Rio Hondo once again on Tuesday, April 1 in a 3 p.m. road contest.