By Jorge Vazquez
East Los Angeles College baseball lost its third game of a three-game series at home to Pasadena City College 6-3 on Saturday.
ELAC lost the series 2-1 after Saturday’s loss and last Tuesday’s 9-5 loss at home.
The Huskies managed to win their only away game of the series 3-0 at Brookside Parks Jackie Robinson Memorial Field on Thursday.
Despite last weeks losses, ELAC is still second place in the South Coast Conference-North, but is now tied with Chaffey College.
In the top of the tenth inning, with bases loaded, PCC sophomore third baseman Nico Martinez smashed a single toward outfield allowing two runs batted in, resulting in a three run lead.
Martinez finished the game with two hits and five RBIs in four at bats.
“We’re pretty good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. It’s disappointing, no doubt, but we have to move on.
We have five big games left against two tough opponents, so our players just have to be strong, bare down and stick to the plan,” said East Los Angeles College head coach James Hines.
In the top of the tenth inning, the score was tied, 3-3, when PCC sophomore shortstop Jose Jimenez hit a single.
Freshman catcher Tony Shue was then walked to first base.
Sophomore center fielder John Bicos hit a single to load the bases.
Freshman left fielder Edward Manzo was walked, forcing Jimenez to advance to home regain the lead.
“It was a good game. I thought both teams played well and had a lot of heart in this game. It could’ve gone either way but fortunately we came out on the right end of that,” PCC head coach Pat McGee said.
The Huskies called for a second pitcher change after freshman pitcher Luis Ramos allowed three runs, two walks and one hit in the one inning that he pitched.
“In regards to throwing pitches, they have to be the same guy from inning number one all the way up to inning number nine.
The end result was making bad pitches,” Hines said.
ELAC was down by one run in the bottom of the eighth inning, when sophomore outfielder Steven Nuno walked and took first base.
Immediately after, freshman outfielder Brandon Acosta hit double RBI where Nuno scored from second base.
An error from PCC Biscos allowed Nuno to get to home.
In the bottom of the sixth, freshman infielder Grant Victor walked after being hit in the arm by a pitch.
Freshman infielder Bryan Duenas hit a far ball that walked Victor get to second base, but Duenas ball was caught.
After, designated hitter and pitcher Zech Jarrard hit a double to left field, Victor scored and the Huskies took the lead 2-1.
“We just didn’t win. We have to be better. We just have to score more runs and tighten up our pitching,” Jarrad said.
The Huskies tied the game in the bottom of the third inning 1-1.
Despite having two outs, freshman infielder Matthew Sosa hit the ball toward centerfield, allowing the Huskies to run a batter in.
ELAC lost its first game of the three-game series last Tuesday.
Throughout the first four innings ELAC and PCC had a close game, but in the top of the fifth inning, the Huskies lost control of the game.
PCC were up by one run but extended its lead by scoring four runs and led by five. The Huskies scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it wasn’t enough to bring them back in the game.
ELAC won yesterday after defeating El Camino College 5-3 away.
With runs from Sosa, Victor and Jarrad, the Huskies won the first game of a two-game series against El Camino.
Freshman pitcher Paul Kosanovich took the win with seven innings pitched. He allowed eight hits, three runs, two walks and six strikeouts.
“We have five big games left at the end against two tough opponents. Whatever it is we have to bear down, be head strong and stick to the plan,” Hines said.
The Huskies are now 11-5 in the conference and 21-15 overall. Their next game will be tomorrow at 6 p.m. against El Camino College here at ELAC.