PCC Baseball Offense Rebounds In Merced Win

After two losses that cooled off the Pasadena City College baseball team’s bats, the Lancers got their offense back on track Thursday in a 14-9 victory over visiting Merced at the University of La Verne. PCC improved to 4-2 on the young season.

The Lancers have scored in double figures in all four of their wins and scored 14 or more runs for the third time. PCC took full advantage of Merced’s pourous defense as the Blue Devils committed nine errors that led to nine unearned runs. After two innings, the Lancers took a 6-1 lead and had just one hit to show for it.

Rightfielder Anthony Rabito batted 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored while designated hitter Jeremy Conant was 2-for-5 with three RBI. Pinch hitter Paul Christian added a two-run single in the seventh.

Besides Merced’s infield kicking the ball around, the Lancers also received five hit by pitches and five walks. Merced did rally a few times including scoring four runs in the seventh that cut PCC’s lead to 11-9.

In the seventh, the Lancers turned to closer Anthony Mizrahi, who promptly worked his way out of an inherited bases-loaded jam by getting a groundout to third. He went on to earn the save with 2.1 innings of no-hit relief with three strikeouts. Reliever Chris Brown, who entered in the second inning by also recording two straight outs with the bases loaded, picked up the victory.

PCC was also generous to Merced’s offense, making four errors, allowing six hit by pitches, four walks, two balks and two passed balls. The game lasted 3 hours, 32 minutes.

On Feb. 16 in another home game at La Verne’s Ben Hines Field, the Lancers were limited to seven hits in an 8-1 loss to Rio Hondo. Justin Cage and Jorge Manzo each hit doubles in the defeat.

On Feb. 13, PCC’s 3-game winning streak was snapped in a 14-inning, 5-4 loss at Cerro Coso College. The game ended on a walk-off balk that scored Cerro Coso’s winning run.

Coach Pat McGee’s Lancers next play at Mt. San Jacinto College on Saturday, Feb. 20 in a 12 noon first pitch.