Mariah Vazquez pitched a complete-game, 7-hitter for her first collegiate victory as the Pasadena City College softball team defeated host Rio Hondo, 5-3, in a South Coast Conference game on Monday.

Vazquez was helped by four runs pushed across the plate by the Lancers in the fifth that broke a 1-1 tie. 

The 5-foot freshman from Monrovia High threw scoreless ball between the second through the sixth innings. She had allowed just one run on four hits going into the seventh and was able to get out of a late jam with runners on first and third, getting Rio Hondo's Abby Ramirez to fly out to center for the game's final out.

In the first inning against the Roadrunners leadoff batter Alexia Mayorga, Vazquez received some stellar defense as centerfielder Marissa Moreno made an over-the-shoulder catch near the right-center field fence.

Offensively, third baseman Mistie Mares batted 2-for-4 with two RBI and second baseman Alexis Garcia also was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. 

In the fifth, PCC got consecutive hits by designated player Elizabeth Avalos, Moreno on a bunt, leftfielder Lucero Alcaraz, and Garcia, who knocked in the go-ahead run at 2-1. Shortstop Breanna Negrete followed with a sacrifice fly to right to score Moreno. With two outs, both first baseman Adriana Valdez and Mares delivered RBI base hits to add to the Lancers lead. 

Alcaraz stole two bases while batting 1-for-3. 

PCC improved to 3-6 in SCC play (3-11 overall) while Rio Hondo, which received a 3-for-4 day and two RBI from catcher Natalie Sosa, fell to 3-17 and 1-9 in conference. 

The Lancers will play as the "home team" at state #7 and current SCC leader Long Beach City College on Tuesday, March 18 in a 2:30 p.m. game.