One big reason the 2022 Pasadena City College softball team had an off year with just 14 victories was the squad's inability to reach base. That PCC team had a woeful .331 team on-base percentage, or 62nd in the state. Fast forward to 2023, and now on-base percentage has become a team strength at .434, good enough to jump 50 places to 12th in the current state statistics.
On Friday, 17 Lancers reached base safely (11 on hits) while pitcher Elena Bahnimtewa tossed a 2-hitter in the Lancers' 7-0, South Coast Conference blanking over East Los Angeles at Robinson Park.
PCC improved to 8-5 overall and move to 2-0 in SCC play. ELAC fell to 3-9 and 0-1 .
She was helped by the hitting of centerfielder Gabi Perez, who batted 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Third baseman Jaimie Harris added a 2-run, first-inning homer, her fifth, while shortstop Danielle Ruiz reached base all four plate appearances on two hits, two walks plus stealing two of PCC's six stolen bases.
Bahnimtewa didn't allow a hit until two outs into the fourth inning and surrendered just three baserunners all game v. the Huskies including no walks (one HBP). It was the first, 7-inning shutout by a Lancer hurler since Feb. 4 of last year when Kiley Kraft blanked Riverside CC.
Once again, Lancers' leftfielder Olivia Nanez turned in a web gem when she crashed into the foul line fence to hold on to a catch on a ball hit by ELAC's Angelina Solis in the second inning.
After 13 games, first baseman Marcella Ordonez has a team-best .538 on-base percentage, followed by outfielder Breanna Rodriguez (.481), and Perez at .457. Rodriguez is hitting .462, Ordonez .410 and Harris .409.
"Our PCC type of game is to pressure teams by being aggressive on the basepaths, but last year we couldn't do it because we didn't generate enough baserunners," said PCC head coach Monica Tantlinger. "We have a veteran team this season and now we're back to that type of offense. We're hitting the barrel soundly of late and also showing patience in drawing walks."
On Tuesday, Mar. 7, PCC travels to face current first-place Long Beach City (8-4, 3-0) in a 3 p.m first pitch.
