By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor The Pasadena City College baseball program isn’t just having success on the field and during the season. PCC’s first back-to-back 20-win seasons in nearly 50 years under fourth-year coach Pat McGee has also translated into many of his players getting the chance to extend their careers at the next level. […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
The Pasadena City College baseball program isn’t just having success on the field and during the season.
PCC’s first back-to-back 20-win seasons in nearly 50 years under fourth-year coach Pat McGee has also translated into many of his players getting the chance to extend their careers at the next level.
This summer alone, seven PCC players have signed on the dotted line to continue chasing their dreams at the four-year level.
Race Gardner, whose 11 career wins on the mound is a PCC record, has already flown out to Hawaii and will play for Hawaii Hilo.
Gardner, a Glendora High product, had a complete-game victory to clinch the Riverside City College series in 2017.
He started the 2018 season 0-2 with a 10-plus ERA and was forced back into the bullpen where he spent a couple weeks becoming a pitcher again.
Gardner went on to win five games without a loss and picked up three saves along the way, and lowered his ERA nearly 8 points to 3.80.
Jose Jimenez, who hit .341, and has been a two-year star for McGee, will play at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Jimenez played third base and shortstop the last two years and was key in PCC winning 49 games over that stretch.
Jimenez had a team-best 63 hits this season and is one of the most prolific hitters in recent memory for the Lancers.
Daniel Netz hit .219 with 19 runs scored and 15 RBIs, and he is headed to Westmont.
The soon-to-be sophomore earned the respect of his teammates and coaches with his hard work and versatility. He’s also a very bright young man and a good student.
He is the big brother of our 2018 Pitcher of the Year Dawson Netz and 2017 & 2018 Softball Player of the Year, Devyn Netz.
Netz went to a camp near Westmont over the summer and their coaches like what they saw and will use Netz in a number of ways, including the outfield, infield and potentially even some time on the mound.
John Bicos, a two-year contributor to PCC’s resurgence as a program will join Race Gardner out in Hilo.
Bicos, who played his prep ball at St. Francis, hit .265 with 25 runs scores and 16 RBI.
Nico Martinez is headed to New Mexico Highlands.
Martinez, an Alta Loma High School product, hit .272 with 21 runs and 24 RBIs.
Nathan Garkow is leaving after a freshman year in which he went 6-6 on the mound with a 3.96 ERA.
Garkow collected three saves and will join St. Francis third baseman Aaron Treloar at Point Loma in San Diego.
Alex Jelloian, who hit .152, will continue his career at Whittier College.
Quotable:
PCC coach Pat McGee: “I am really happy that each of these young men will get the chance to continue their careers. We hope that we were able to contribute in some small way in developing their game while here at PCC. We want any student-athlete to know that when you come to PCC, we’re going to do anything and everything we can to not only help make you the best player and person you can be, but we’ll also put in as much effort to help you continue your career at the next level.”
PCC pitcher Race Gardner: “(Assistant coach) Nico Calderaro helped me develop into a pitcher. I always felt like I had something to prove. I always wanted to show doubters I could pitch and kept a chip on my shoulder. I’ll always been thankful to Coach McGee. I had been cut from two college teams. It went a long way for my confidence level. Somebody wanted what I had to offer. It took them believing in me that helped me fall in love with the game all over again. I am most proud of being part of the group of athletes that has changed the way people think off PCC baseball.”
PCC freshman Daniel Netz: “I had a good start to the season. In the middle of the season, I struggled with the bat and moved down in the lineup, but I was a utility guy, who did whatever I was asked. What made this group so special was we didn’t necessarily have a superstar and had to do all the little things well to be successful. I am really proud of the grit and perseverance of this team. We grinded it out and had great chemistry. I am really looking forward to continuing my career at Westmont and starting all over again, but I’ll always be thankful to PCC for their part in helping me continue my career.”
