The Pasadena City College softball team collected its second win, 7-4, v. host Chaffey on Wednesday, and once again had a chance to tie a South Coast Conference game at the finish before losing a tight one v. East Los Angeles, 2-1, played Thursday at Robinson Park.
"The compete level is there in every game, and I'm seeing improvement," said PCC head coach Monica Tantlinger, whose team stands at 2-9 overall and 0-3 in the SCC. "I think playing in close games can build character, so the freshmen are starting to understand how even one play, one at-bat can affect a college game's outcome. We have had a pretty tough early-season schedule and that's also going to benefit us as the season carries on."
Against ELAC, PCC starter Kimberly Dea had her best start of the season, allowing only two hits and no runs over the final four innings of a complete-game, 8-hitter. She was outdueled by the Huskies' Serena Lopez, who scattered seven hits.
After Priscilla Lopez doubled down the right field line to give ELAC a 2-0 lead in the top of the third, PCC sliced the lead to one in the fourth. Leftfielder Jaimie Harris was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored when second baseman Montserra Fukumoto hit a bloop single to right.
The Huskies made a big defensive play in the fifth when shortstop Gizelle Leyva also was hit by a pitch, then stole both second and third. First baseman Marcella Ordonez lifted a fly ball to left but Huskies' outfielder Dani Varela fired a perfect one-hop throw to gun out Leyva at the plate.
In the seventh, down to its final out, the Lancers mounted one last rally as Dea (2-for-3) and designated player Kiley Kraft (2-for-4) both singled. Lancers shortstop Priscilla Ortega lined out left to Varela, ending the contest.
Against Chaffey, Harris highlighted a 4-for-4 performance with a bases-clearing, 3-run triple in the fifth inning. Harris also had a double and finished with four RBI. Catcher Sofia Arellano batted 1-for-3 with two RBI and Dea was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Kraft picked up her second win in the circle with a complete-game, 9-hitter and four strikeouts.
On Tuesday, Feb. 22, the Lancers return to SCC action at LA Harbor College in a 3:15 p.m. first pitch.