From Top Clockwise: Alex Briggs, Andres Kim, Jeremy Conant, Matt McElligott, Coach Pat McGee, Shane Ogata, Paul McAllister and Nick Esparza. Photo courtesy Pasadena City College By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor The drought is over. PCC earned at least a share of the South Coast Conference North Division after Saturday’s 5-0 victory over East Los […]
From Top Clockwise: Alex Briggs, Andres Kim, Jeremy Conant, Matt McElligott, Coach Pat McGee, Shane Ogata, Paul McAllister and Nick Esparza. Photo courtesy Pasadena City College
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Pasadena City College Baseball Team
The drought is over.
PCC earned at least a share of the South Coast Conference North Division after Saturday’s 5-0 victory over East Los Angeles College at Brookside Park.
With three conference games to go, the Lancers need either one win in their three-game series with last-place Mt. San Antonio College OR one Rio Hondo College loss in their three-game series with Chaffey College.
But even if the worst were to happen, PCC owns the tiebreaker and will host a first-round playoff series.
Back to Saturday, the Lancers finished off a three-game sweep of ELAC this week by a combined score of 25-3.
Paul McAllister is back, and the freshman went three scoreless innings to start the game.
McAllister gave up two hits, walked two and struck out three, and his elbow injury is obviously getting better.
McAllister has been pivotal on the mound for PCC.
Matt McElligott picked up the win (3-1) by getting through the fourth and fifth innings without allowing a run.
The St. Francis product gave up just one hit, walked none and struck out four batters.
Nick Esparza went the final four innings to preserve the shutout, and stuck out three without walking a batter and earned his eighth save of the season.
PCC second baseman Andres Kim had a two-RBI triple in the seventh to put the game away.
Kim is second in conference in hitting behind teammate Jeremy Conant.
Conant drove in one run Saturday with a sacrifice fly.
Shane Ogata went 2 for 4 with a triple, and drove in two runs as well.
Nico Martinez had two hits and scored a run for the Lancers.
ELAC’s Kyle Francis had three of the Huskies six hits.
The first thing each player when asked why they’ve been so successful this season and turned a once dormant program around is the leadership and passion of coach Pat McGee and his staff.
Quotable:
PCC pitcher Paul McAllister: “The three innings went well. I hit my spots, my pitches were working and I was changing speeds. I struggled a little at the end and walked a guy, but got out of it. Being a part of history is really cool. I love Coach McGee. He is-one of best coaches I’ve ever had. His intensity is crazy. He is a crazy coach, and I mean that in a great way. Just coming in and looking up to these sophomores and being a part of a team that’s winning is great. It means a lot to us to win conference outright.”
PCC pitcher Matt McElligott: “It felt great to be a part of this, and I was happy to do my job. We’re winning because we’ve all bought in to our coaches and their message, and we’re all pulling in the same direction.
PCC second baseman Andres Kim: “It really hasn’t sunk in. But I also don’t think any of us will celebrate until we win this outright. I hope we take all the drama out of this and win on Tuesday in the first game against Mt. Sac.”
PCC pitcher Nick Esparza: “I felt pretty good today my pitches were working really well and to be apart of history is amazing. We work hard every day and our goal was to win conference and we did that, but we’re not done yet. We still have one more goal to achieve and that’s winning a state championship. I love my team and we have the team to do it this year.”
PCC first baseman Jeremy Conant: “I think the team making the playoffs is an amazing turn around for this program and it’s something that we’ve worked hard for, and earned. It feels great to be a winner and I couldn’t be more proud of my teammates and coaches for doing something so special.”
PCC coach Pat McGee: “I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. We accomplished something that hasn’t been done in a long time. They put in the hard work and absolutely earned this championship. All of my players and coaches worked their butt off and some get more credit than others (by the media), but one guy I appreciate a lot is shortstop Alex Briggs. As a coach, I have to bring it (the intensity) every day, but it can only go so far it your leaders don’t buy in. Alex has not only bought in, he brings it every day and is our leader.”
Box Score:
ELAC: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-(0)
PCC: 0-0-0-2-0-0-3-0-X-(5)
Hits:
ELAC 6; PCC 7
Batteries:
ELAC: Ryan Orozco, Richard Escobedo (7) and Julian Zermeno, Ismael Martinez.
PCC: Paul McAllister, Matt McElligott (4), Nick Esparza (6) and Jesse Garcia.
Win: Matt McElligott (3-1)
Loss: Ryan Orozco (0-1)
Remaining PCC Schedule:
Tues (April 25): PCC at Mt. Sac at 2:30
Thurs (April 27): Mt. Sac at PCC at 2:30
Fri (April 28): PCC at Mt. Sac at 2:30
