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Posted: Mar 15, 2023

SCC Baseball Race Could Go Down To The Wire Again

Jake Trabbie has helped Pasadena City College to a strong start to the SCC baseball season.
Jake Trabbie has helped Pasadena City College to a strong start to the SCC baseball season.

Last year, the South Coast Conference baseball title wasn't decided until the final day of the season as Long Beach City College used a 13-game win streak and Mt. San Antonio won eight of its last nine to tie for the 2022 SCC championship with 19-5 records.

This season, the standings are shaping up for at least five teams currently contending for first place while teams have staggered games played due to the heavy rain the past few weeks in the Los Angeles County area. 

As of games played by March 15, SoCal #12-ranked Pasadena City College (6-2) has a slim percentage points lead over #11 El Camino (7-3) and East Los Angeles (6-3). Long Beach (4-2) checked in at fourth place and Rio Hondo in the thick of it too in fifth (5-3).

For the first time in 20 years, a PCC team beat El Camino in a conference series (2-1) and the Lancers also took their series over ELAC and Cerritos. The Lancers (13-6) have two standouts so far on the mound in returning All-SCC starter Coleman Mitchell, the conference current wins leader at 5-1 and a 3.20 ERA, and closer Rider Gardner, tied for the state lead in saves with six and a 2.04 ERA. First baseman Jake Trabbie leads the SCC in doubles (eight) while batting .333 with 21 RBI. 

El Camino (14-8) swept LA Harbor and won 2-1 in its set over Rio Hondo. The Warriors have the current conference RBI leader in first baseman Ethan Felix (.296, four home runs, 26 RBI). ECC's pitching is always a strength and this year it's no different with Mike Mulkey (3-1, 0.98 ERA) and Jack Snyder (4-0, 2.86 ERA). 

East LA (8-12) overcame a 9-game losing streak earlier in non-conference games to putting together a current 4-game conference win streak. The Huskies have a solid third baseman in Ruben Hernandez (.295, 22 RBI) and a strong ace in Francisco Dominguez (4-3, 2.72 ERA, SCC-leading 49.2 innings, 41 strikeouts). 

Long Beach (8-12) also struggled in pre-conference action at 4-10, but the Vikings seem to always step up in conference play. This year it was no different as it swept Mt. San Antonio in its 3-game series. Catcher Malik Clayton (.328, 2 HR, 18 RBI) has been a brightspot as has pitcher Evan Vazquez (3-1, 1.36 ERA).

Rio Hondo (11-9) downed Long Beach in its recent series (2-1) but had a 4-game win streak snapped in a finale loss v. the Vikings. Utility player Diego Flores (.378, second in SCC on-base percentage .508, 12 RBI) leads the Roadrunners.

Los Angeles Harbor (7-15) is in sixth in the SCC standings (3-6) and trying to break a 4-game losing streak. The Seahawks are paced by first baseman-DH Julian Rodriguez (.305, 2 HR, 13 RBI). 

Mt. San Antonio (8-11) is one of many dealing with the heavy rain that has wreaked havoc on the schedule. The Mounties are just 1-4 in SCC play, but after a head-scratching 10-game losing streak, seemed to be back on track with a 4-game win streak (three over non-conference Santa Barbara CC and a SCC triumph over Cerritos). Lefty and returning SCC Pitcher of the Year Michael Flores is 2-2 with a 2.43 ERA and a SCC-best 45 Ks in 37 IP.

Compton (8-12) is 1-6 in South Coast play but have a solid centerfielder in Johnathon Enriquez (.393, 14 RBI, 10 stolen bases) while Cerritos (5-12) is 1-5 and has the conference steals leader in shortstop Julian Francois (.377, 12 SB).

When it's all over, 24 conference games will decide the South Coast champion, so things can change in a hurry in what should be yet another heated race for the title.