Pirates need just six innings to top Lancers
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pasadena City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
|
Orange Coast | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 12 | 0 |
COSTA MESA -- In a game where turning points happened early rather than late, the Orange Coast College softball team won the early battles and then pulled away from visiting Pasadena City College, 9-1 in six innings, on Tuesday at the OCC Softball Complex.
Starting pitcher overcame back-to-back, bases-loaded situations in the opening two innings and stranded all baserunners. Meanwhile, the Pirates (5-2) picked up several, key, two-out hits to build a 4-0 lead over that same span.
A Lydia Gonzalez walk with two outs in the first was followed by a single into the right-field gap off the bat of Anaiyah Yniguez, which got Gonzalez all the way around to put the Pirates on the scoreboard first.
The Lancers (3-6) loaded the bases with nobody out in the second, only to see Whitmer calmly strike out the next batter, then allow a fly out to shallow left and a ground out to shortstop, ended another PCC threat.
With two outs and a runner on first base, a single by McKenzie Kochi put runners on the corners before Isabel McElroy lined a double down the left-field line, scoring two and putting Coast up, 3-0. Natalie Lowthers followed with a well-placed single to shallow right, which scored McElroy to put the Pirates up, 4-0.
From then on, McElroy was on cruise control. She picked up the complete-game win, allowing just one run on five hits with four walks and six strikeouts. Her four free passes came in the first two innings ... after that, she was locked in the rest of the way.
Lydia Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with three runs and two RBI for Coast, while Melissa Hanson added two hits, a run and two RBI.
The Pirates will return to action on Wednesday at L.A. Harbor College, beginning at 2 p.m. before returning to the OCC Softball Complex on Friday against San Bernardino Valley, also at 2 p.m.
