All Entries Tagged With: "Softball"
Sports Shorts
By JAMES SARGENT
Women’s soccer players honored
Three Pima Community College women’s soccer team members were recognized for the efforts they gave in the 2010 season.
Sophomore Tamra James earned All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference first team and All-Region 1 first team honors. The veteranforward led the team with 21 points as she scored nine goals and had three assists.
Two midfielders, sophomore Jessica Haught and freshman Adriana Ortiz, were both named to the All-ACCAC second team.
Softball wrapping up fall ball
The Pima Community College softball team is about to finish its 2010 fall scrimmage schedule.
Their last fall scrimmages will be on Wednesday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 13.
On Nov. 10, the Aztecs play Arizona Desert Thunder at 7 p.m.
Pima then closes out autumn with a doubleheader on Saturday, Nov. 13, against the Tucson Scramblers at West Campus. First pitch is scheduled for 8 a.m.
The Aztecs will then have about two months off until the 2011 season begins. The first game is against North Idaho College on Jan. 28 in Las Vegas at 11:30 a.m.
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Fall ball critical for softball
Story and photo by James Kelley
With a slew of freshmen and a lot of holes to fill, fall ball is very important to the Pima Community College softball team.
The Aztecs finished last year ranked No. 4 and 57-11. They must replace numerous sophomores whose eligibility ran out.
“We have 18 freshmen, so it’s spring training for them all,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We’re very young but I think we are very talented, we just have to refine them.”
So far the Aztecs have played three doubleheaders against three Amateur Softball Association club teams. On Sept. 11 the Aztecs played the Desert Cobras, on Sept. 18 they played the Tucson Roadrunners and on Sept. 25 they played the Desert Thunder.
Though the games are considered scrimmages and scores and statistics are not officially kept, Pima has likely gone 5-1.
Last spring Pima signed eight high school seniors to National Letters of Intent and then added more players over the summer.
“I think the fall is crucial to us, because we are so young,” Quiroz said. “They’re getting their feet wet right now.”
A key spot to fill is at pitcher. 2010 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference player of the year Jordan Trujillo is now at the University of Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
“We have several candidates; we haven’t identified her yet,” Quiroz said.
He wouldn’t go into specifics because the players are still trying out but said he was excited about the players.
Charissa Ballesteros
“There have been some pleasant surprises with the team, I am just reluctant to give any names right now because we haven’t made any decisions,” Quiroz said. “There have been several pleasant surprises.”
Pima’s next games are on Oct. 2, a doubleheader against Pure Lightning at 10 a.m. at the West Campus. On Oct. 9, the Aztecs play Velocity at 10 a.m. in another double dip, also at the West Campus.
From Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, Pima plays in the University of Arizona’s fall tournament, which will feature the UA, University of New Mexico, Arizona Western College, Central Arizona College and Cypress College.
The Aztecs then play the UA again on Oct. 20.
Pima caps the fall by hosting the Tucson Scramblers Nov. 6 and the Arizona Elite Nov. 13.
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Online Extra: Aztecs earn Academic All-American accolades
Story and photo by James Kelley
Five Pima Community College student athletes were recognized as National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-Americans.
Freshman Megan Carney of women’s cross country and track and field, sophomore Andrea Benjamin from women’s basketball, sophomore Gabrielle Siltanen and sophomore Lucas Volk from track and field and softball sophomore Kaity Ingram were named Academic All-Americans.
Andrea Benjamin
The prerequisites for Academic All-American are: attending at least three full-time semesters, completion of at least 45 class hours, competed for at least one season and a grade point average of at least 3.60.
Ingram and Benjamin were on the Distinguished All-American list, with a GPA of at least 3.80.
Online Extra: Three softball players selected to All-American teams
Story and photo by James Kelley
Three Pima Community College softball players were named All-Americans.
Sophomore shortstop Kaity Ingram and sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo were named first team All-Americans by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, while sophomore pitcher Jordan Trujillo was named to the second team.
Jordan Trujillo and Ingram were also second team All-Americans, according to the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Kaity Ingram
Ingram earned the rare double, as she also was named to the Academic All-American squad, earning Distinguished All-American status, with a grade point average of at least 3.80.
The Aztecs finished 57-11 and won the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference championship before being upset by eventual national third place finisher Yavapai College in the NJCAA Region I championship.
Online Extra: Summer Updates
Photo by James Kelley
Former Pima coach Roderick Gary named men’s head basketball coach
Former Pima, USA Baseball and Foothills coach Jason Hisey named head baseball coach
Men’s soccer holding tryouts July 5 and July 7
Aztecs earn Academic All-American accolades
Three softball players selected to All-American teams
Japanese Speech Contest, Aikido and Anime Club Videos
Women’s track & field takes 13th at Nationals, the men finish 17th
Video of baseball coach’s last home game
Men’s golf team finishes 18th at Nationals
Two women’s golfers finish in top 42 at Nationals
Living the Dream: Pima Fashion Show video
Both track & field teams finish third at Regionals
Chloe' Nowell
Men’s tennis finishes 19th at Nationals
Women’s tennis finishes 19th at Nationals
Men’s basketball coach Karl Pieroway steps down, again
Yavapai finishes off softball
Softball bounces back, advances to Semifinals
Softball upset by bottom seed
Online Extra: Softball bounces back, advances to Semifinals
Story and photo by James Kelley
The top seeded Pima Community College softball team rebounded in its second game at Regionals with a 7-4 win over Central Arizona College.
Freshman pitcher Adrianna Garcia (19-5) saved the Aztecs’ season as she held the No. 3 seeded Vaqueras to four runs on eight hits. Pima lost the first game to No. 4 seed Arizona Western College 4-3.
Sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo went 2-3, hit a double and scored two runs, while sophomore outfielder Claudia Nunez hit a double, driving in two RBIs.
Pima returns to action Saturday at 11 a.m. to face the loser of the Arizona Western and No. 2 seed Yavapai College game.
The Aztecs would need to win three games on Saturday to go to Nationals.
Melina Trujillo
Online Extra: Softball upset by bottom seed
By James Kelley
Photo by Daniel Gaona
The No. 1 seeded Pima Community College softball team was upset by No. 4 seed Arizona Western College 4-3 in its first game at Regionals.
The ACCAC Player of the Year, sophomore pitcher Jordan Trujillo, (30-5) picked up the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits.
The Aztecs now face Central Arizona College in the first elimination game.
Jordan Trujillo
Aztec Press feedback
Thank you, softball team!
Recently, my family in Clifton went through a traumatic experience. My high school freshman daughter, Julia, was injured during a softball game. She was hospitalized at Tucson’s University Hospital with a punctured spleen and lacerated kidney after being cleated while sliding to third base during a high school softball game.
Her hospital stay was difficult. She was in constant pain and was constantly poked and prodded, not to mention being so far away from home, friends and family.
After the fourth grueling day of a five-day stay, a ray of sunshine came to her room in the form of three Pima Community College softball players and one amazing coach!
These four wonderful ladies took time out of their busy schedules to visit my daughter and bring her a signed team softball and team T-shirt. I don’t think they realize the effect this visit had on my daughter, and on us as well!
I would like to thank these awesome ladies for their selfless act of kindness to a teenager who really needed to believe that there are angels among us!
Rebekah Quiroz, Jordan Trujillo, Mercedes Garcia and Vanessa Arandules: Thank you from our whole hearts for taking the time to make our daughter’s day, and making her hospital stay a little less stressful.
There’s just one small problem. She and her older sister, who also plays softball, are in constant battle for the team T-shirt! LoL
Jesse, Janet and Julia Chavarria
Clifton, AZ (Home of the Fighting Trojans)
Another PCC tuition increase?
I read your article, “PCC eyes new round of cost-cutting steps” [Issue 3.] Another PCC tuition increase? When was the last time we had one, last year?
I’m a housewife with two children pursuing a degree in ECS, but this goal seems more out of my reach every day.
I’m considering quitting school altogether and just looking for a full-time job. A degree doesn’t seem worthy for a job and I can’t just work to pay school. It’s not like a few years ago. Too many cons to become a professional.
Financial aid is not of help for me. They want me to do full-time school, and I need to work, take care of the house, the kids and other activities.
I really hope we do not have another raise in tuition. Not everybody qualifies and gets financial aid for school studies.
Mary Spears
PCC student
Online Extra: Softball fighting to earn home-field advantage
By James Kelley
Photo by Daniel Gaona
So it has come down to this.
The Pima Community College softball team faces a murderer’s row schedule to close the season, including four games against its “natural rival” Yavapai College, in its bid to host Regionals.
On April 6, the No. 12 Aztecs (47-7, 18-4 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) took a pair of games at Arizona Western College, 3-2 and 8-5.
No. 4 Yavapai also swept its foe, keeping the two in a tie for first place.
“They’re huge, we’ve got to keep pace with Yavapai,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We’re right there, neck and neck.”
The doubleheader against the Matadors was so big that Pima pitched its ace, sophomore Jordan Trujillo (24-3) in both games. Sophomore shortstop Kaity Ingram hit three RBIs and freshman infielder Mercedes Garcia had a luxurious afternoon, getting three walks, going 3-4, scoring three runs and hitting a double.
The Arizona Western games started a rough 10-game stretch to close the season for the Aztecs as they try to clinch home field for the playoffs.
Pima hosts Yavapai on April 13, then travels to Prescott on April 27 to make up games that were twice postponed. In between those doubleheaders, the Aztecs play two teams they have gone 3-4 against.
“I think there will be some really important last few games and it’s going to be crucial whether we win or not,” Jordan Trujillo said. “We’re excited to play and ready, it’s going to be good.”
Yavapai, the preseason No. 1 and defending National Champion, is chockfull of Pima ties.
The Roughriders are coached by University of Arizona alumnus and Tucson native Stacy Iveson. Coincidentally she also coached Pima before Quiroz took over.
Iveson won two National Championships at Pima in 2004 and 2006. Also, the team’s hitting, infielder and strength coach, Lisa Parks, played for Pima in 2004.
“They’re our natural rival, but we like to play the good teams and I am sure they do too,” Quiroz said.
Roughrider sophomore infielder Molly Brossart, who is No. 8 in the nation in home runs and No. 10 in RBIs, defected to Yavapai after playing for the Aztecs last year.
It may not have been that big a loss for the Aztecs, as freshman Charissa Ballesteros replaced her at first base and is now No. 3 in the nation with 60 RBIs.
Jordan Trujillo wouldn’t go so far as to call Yavapai the Aztecs’ rival but does look forward to the games. The two teams are tied in the loss column but Yavapai has played two more games.
Jordan Trujillo
“We want to play them and that’s who we are excited to play,” she said.
On April 17 Pima travels to Central Arizona College, which it split twice with. Then on April 20, Pima hosts Eastern Arizona College. The EAC Lady Monsters swept the Aztecs.
Pima closes the season with a road trip to Yavapai on April 27. Despite the recent domination by Pima and Yavapai, Central is the ACCAC traditional power, with 12 national championships since 1984.
“When you play in this league there’s no soft touches,” Quiroz said. “It’s brutal for everybody, it’s brutal for our opponents.”
The top four teams in the division make it to the playoffs hosted by the top seed. After Yavapai (20-4 ACCAC) and PCC, Central (15-9) is third and Western (16-10) is fourth.
“It’s a season of ups and downs and hopefully we are on the way up again but 47-7 is nothing to sneeze at,” Quiroz said. “The league is so tough that you can’t run and hide from anybody, no matter how good your record is.”
Last year Yavapai narrowly won the league’s only Nationals bid at home against Pima before a wild crowd. The average high for Tucson on May 7 is 17 degrees hotter than Prescott.
“That’s all we’re playing for,” Quiroz said about home field advantage. “It doesn’t assure you of anything, but it sure gives you an advantage.”
On April 3, the Aztecs split with Glendale Community College, but the games were non-conference. Saturday afternoon. Pima won the first, 5-2 and lost the second 9-4.
Jordan Trujillo earned the win in the first game, striking out seven and giving up five hits and freshman Adrianna Garcia (16-4) lost the second.
Sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo, went 5-7 in the doubleheader, driving in three RBIs. Freshman first baseman Charissa Ballesteros went 3-6, including two doubles, two runs and three RBIs.
Quiroz duo hoping to lead softball to Nationals
Story and photo by James Kelley
Protégés of successful coaches are said to be part of their coaching tree, but for some people it is much more.
Pima Community College softball head coach Armando Quiroz’s coaching tree also includes part of his family tree. Quiroz’s daughter Rebekah is an assistant coach for the Aztecs.
“It’s awesome, it’s a great experience,” Armando Quiroz said. “I’m very, very lucky, very fortunate. That’s a dad’s dream and a coach’s dream.”
Rebekah Quiroz said coaching with her father is a great experience that helps out her individual coaching.
“It’s amazing,” Rebekah Quiroz said. “It’s good that I’ve grown up a lot as a coach, because I have already played for him, if that makes sense.”
This year is the third year they have been coaching together.
“It’s exactly what I expected because I know how competitive she is,” Armando Quiroz said. “She’s a very competitive player and that never changes. I like the fire.”
Rebekah Quiroz coaches the speed players, a role she used to play on the diamond.
“I do the slapping; we call it the short game. I work with the middle infield and their conditioning, their speed work basically,” Rebekah Quiroz said.
As of April 4, Pima was ranked No. 5 in the nation in batting average, hitting .398. Sophomore outfielder Chelsea Slama is batting .438.
“I wouldn’t be hitting the way I am now if it wasn’t for Rebekah,” Slama said after hitting two inside-the-park home runs on March 21.
Sophomore shortstop Kaity Ingram is second in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference in triples and runs, with seven and 53, and learned from the former Aztec.
Rebekah Quiroz played for Pima in 2003. She led the country in hitting and was an All-American. That was before her father became the head coach.
“The expectations are always the same,” Rebekah said. “We think the same. It’s not hard, because we are always on the same level.”
After leaving Pima, Rebekah Quiroz played for the University of Arizona and for Tucson’s professional softball team, the Arizona Heat.
“She was an outstanding player and she’s an outstanding coach. It’s just a carryover, I wish I could put her in the lineup every once in a while,” Armando Quiroz said. “She’s a winner, she wants to win and she knows how to win.”
Rebekah Quiroz started coaching at Pima in 2005-06 as an assistant for its previous head coach, Stacy Iveson. When Iveson left for Yavapai College, Armando Quiroz was hired.
“I knew her résumé since she was a baby,” Armando said, laughing, when asked if he gave her resume a thorough check. “We were lucky to keep her.”
Rebekah and Armando Quiroz
After Armando was hired, the Aztecs went 38-14-1 in 2008 and 52-17 in 2009.
“They’re fantastic,” Slama said. “Coach rides us, but just because he cares, because he is a good coach. I don’t think we would have the charisma and the strength to push it through —16 games in one week—without Coach on us like that.”
Rebekah Quiroz also played for her father when she was in high school and the duo formed a successful partnership.
“As a player in high school, we won two state championships. Her junior and senior year, we were state champions at Flowing Wells High School,” Armando Quiroz said. “So that was like a dream come true.”
In addition to the back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000, Armando won a state championship in 2002. It would be his final with the Caballeros.
In 2005, he left Flowing Wells to coach Eastern New Mexico University. He coached for two years before leaving for Pima.
Armando Quiroz said mutual respect doesn’t always equal agreement.
“Even though we think alike a lot, we also disagree and I respect everything she says,” Armando Quiroz said. “She’ll come and say ‘let’s do this’ and I listen to her because she is a fantastic ball player. We don’t always agree, but we have a respect for each other.”
The Quiroz duo believes their connection helps them recruit and helps better the program.
“I think if we recruit as a family, we get that family atmosphere,” Rebekah Quiroz said. “That is huge if we know that I can coach with my dad, be on the same field with him. We’re recruiting that kind of atmosphere here at Pima. That’s what we want.”
Armando Quiroz agreed that it is beneficial for Pima.
“We go out to tournaments and we recruit together,” Armando Quiroz said. “Everybody in town knows who she is.”
Next up for the father-daughter combo: introducing themselves to the softball nation as they try to win Pima’s first national championship since 2006.
Online Extra: Softball to play 3 games Sunday near East Campus
Story and photo by James Kelley
East Campus Pima Community College softball team fans weary of the trip west will get to see the Aztecs on Sunday in their backyard.
The No. 3 Aztecs (38-3) will look to extend their win streak to 20 when it plays three games as part of the Tucson Invitational Games at Lincoln Regional Park.
Pima will play a doubleheader against Ancilla (Ind.) College starting at 9 a.m. Then in the afternoon, the Aztecs will play Prairie State (Ill.) College at 3:30 p.m.
Since the football team moved to the West Campus, only the golf teams are left at the East Campus. All other Aztec sports are at the West Campus.
Lincoln Park is a couple of minutes north of the East Campus, off of Pantano Road.
Information on the tournament and directions can be found here.
Online Extra: Softball fights with weather, wins nine in a row
By James Kelley
Photo by Daniel Gaona
It seems like the weather is only thing that can stop the Pima Community College softball team.
The Aztecs (25-3, 11-1 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) won nine games in a row and have lost just one game in the last 12. However, their last two doubleheaders have been postponed because of rain.
“We’re in a good frame of mind, the girls are very confident,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “The girls are chomping at the bit, we feel really good right now.”
On March 10, the Aztecs scored two 8-0, five inning mercy rule wins over Delta College. Sophomore Jordan Trujillo (13-1) threw a no hitter in the first game and sophomore Iliana Teran (2-0) threw a two hitter
On March 6, Pima completed a season sweep of Mesa Community College on the road. Jordan Trujillo struck out seven and gave up one hit.
“Jordan’s pretty dominating, I feel like she is the best pitcher in the conference,” Quiroz said.
Sophomore shortstop Kaity Ingram and sophomore outfielder Claudia Nunez both went 2-3, with doubles, at Mesa. In Game 2, Nunez again went 2-3, hitting a home run, scoring two runs and driving in two.
Adrianna Garcia
On March 4, the Aztecs dominated Central Arizona College on the road. Pima run-ruled the Vaqueras 9-1 in five innings in Game 1, but then lost 9-6 in Game 2 in extra innings.
Jordan Trujillo pitched a gem in the first game, getting seven strikeouts and only giving up one hit. Sophomore infielder Domonique Marquez and freshman infielder Vanessa Arandules both went 3-3 and had two RBIs. Sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo went 3-4, scored two runs and drove in two.
In Game 2, Jordan Trujillo returned in relief but picked up her first loss. Freshman utility Charissa Ballesteros hit a two-run homerun. The game-winning hit came on a “waste pitch,” Quiroz said.
“It was a pitch that was designed to go over the batter’s head and she hit it, not a whole lot you can say, she hit a pitch she wasn’t supposed to swing at,” Quiroz said.
On March 2, Pima swept South Mountain Community College 5-1 and 7-3 at home. Ingram highlighted the evening, coming close to hitting for the cycle. She led the game off with her first home run ever, then followed with a triple that also almost went out. She later hit a single.
“She just wants to hit the ball hard,” Quiroz said. “She’s a senior leader and just having a great, great year.”
On March 1, Pima drowned Lake Michigan College 18-1 in five innings in Game 1. Teran started Game 2, which the Aztecs won 8-2. Teran gave up two runs on five hits, and earned her first win of the season.
Ballesteros was perfect on the day from the plate, going 8-8. She also scored four runs and drove in four RBIs. Ingram went 5-8, scored four runs and drove in three RBIs.
On Feb. 27, Pima swept ACCAC contender Arizona Western College. They played without Quiroz, who was in California to see his son, Armando, a Marine. Armando was shipping off for his second tour of duty, this time to Afghanistan after going to Iraq last time.
“My team and my staff really picked me up,” Quiroz said.
Quiroz is also content with the team’s performance at the plate.
“I really like the way we are swinging the bat,” Quiroz said. “It’s the old saying, hitting becomes infectious. The great part about this is every game, every day, somebody else is hot and picks us up.”
From March 12 to March 14, Pima will play in the Phoenix College Tournament, a 22-team tournament that features 11 out of-state teams.
“We get a lot of games in three days and we play teams we don’t normally see, which is good for us,” Quiroz said.
On March 21, Pima will play three games in the Tucson Invitational Games at Lincoln Park near the East Campus.
Online Extra: Softball plays the waiting game
By James Kelley
Photos by James Kelley
The Pima Community College softball team’s young season has been a lesson in extremes, just not on the field.
The Aztecs (12-2, 3-1 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) have continued to excel on the field, at least when they have gotten to play games on it.
Pima’s double-header against Scottsdale Community College on Feb. 20, which would have been its first game in a week, was postponed due to rain. It will be made up Feb. 25.
Then, its Feb. 23 meeting with rival Yavapai College, currently No. 1 in Division I, was also postponed. A new date has not yet been set.
PCC opened the season playing eight games over five days. In the next two weeks, the team has 16 games.
“I don’t think it will affect us,” head coach Armando Quiroz said about the time off. “The girls are focused.”
Quiroz said the schedule, light in February and heavy in March, was not by design. It just worked out that way because out-of-state teams come to play in March.
Domonique Marquez
In the Aztecs’ last game, on Feb. 13, Pima split a conference doubleheader with Phoenix College, which is No. 2 in Division II. Pima won the first game 4-3 in eight innings, but lost the second game 8-4.
Sophomore pitcher Jordan Trujillo (6-0) struck out nine of the Bears’ hitters in the first game. Sophomore outfielder Chelsea Slama went 4-5 and freshman infielder Mercedes Garcia went 2-4.
Freshman pitcher Adrianna Garcia (6-2) had a rough outing in the nightcap. Sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo went 3-4, with an RBI, and sophomore outfielder Claudia Nunez went 2-2.
“I think Phoenix College is a very good team and I think we are a very good team as well,” Quiroz said. “I think it was a very good learning experience for our young players, that the day is not over after the first win. It is only half over.”
On Feb. 12, the Aztecs blasted El Paso Community College at home, sweeping a doubleheader, 16-0 in five innings and then 8-4. Jordan Trujillo and sophomore Iliana Teran combined to pitch a two-hitter.
“El Paso’s a team that we are familiar with—that we have played the last couple of years. They always put up a good battle, they played us tough last year,” Quiroz said. “I think it was a good experience for our young girls, to see some out-of-state teams like we did in Vegas. The more out-of-state teams we see, the more they realize ‘hey, we’re not bad.’”
The Aztecs get busy over the next two weeks. On Feb. 27 they host Arizona Western at noon and on March 1 they host Lake Michigan College at 2 p.m. On March 2, they host South Mountain Community College at 2 p.m.
Two days later, on March 4, they head to Central Arizona College, and then on March 6 they travel to Mesa Community College. On March 8, they play Delta College at home at 2 p.m. A day later, they go to Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
Jordan Trujillo is the No. 13 pitcher in the country in strike outs, with 1.38 per inning. Kaity Ingram is 22nd in stolen bases, with six out of seven attempts.
Sophomore infielder Ena Pacheco and freshman utility Charissa Ballesteros are 24th and 25th in home runs, respectively. They are tied at 19th in RBIs with 14.
As a team, Pima has the 10th best record in the country in terms of winning percentage and is seventh in batting average, hitting .387. The team is eighth in fielding percentage.
Online Extra: Softball off to soaring start
Story and Photos by James Kelley
The Pima Community College softball team started the season unranked but is nonetheless off to a near-perfect start, dominating the national stats and doing so excitingly.
The Aztecs (9-1, 2-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) opened conference play on Feb. 9 at Glendale Community College in style, winning 3-0 and 9-4.
Sophomore pitcher Jordan Trujillo (4-0) pitched a no hitter in the first game. In the second, the Aztecs lit up the Gaucho pitching.
Sophomore infielder Kaity Ingram had four RBIs, three coming off a triple that was a foot away from a home run. Freshman utility Charissa Ballesteros went 3-5 and sophomore outfielder Claudia Nunez went 3-3.
“It’s amazing, everybody is doing so good, the chemistry is really good this year,” sophomore outfielder Danielle Bravo said. “I believe we have a shot this year.”
PCC started the year unranked in the 20-team preseason poll, though the team was fourth in the “other schools receiving votes” category.
In Pima’s first home double-header, the Aztecs held on to beat Mesa Community College 6-4 and then earned a 10-0, six-inning, mercy rule shortened win.
“We’re excited and optimistic,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We expect to do very well.”
Kaity Ingram
Jordan Trujillo struggled with a blister on her pitching thumb but still struck out 10 Thunderbirds. Ingram drove in three runs and two RBIs.
In the second game, Garcia (5-1) earned a shutout. Ballesteros, sophomore infielder Ena Pacheco and Bravo all hit home runs, scoring seven off the long ball.
Bravo, who is 4 feet 11 inches, five inches smaller than any other Aztec, sealed the deal with a walk-off home run. It was her first career home run.
“It was amazing, it felt good but what I loved most was that the girls were there right when I got there,” Bravo said. “I think that’s what cheered me up the most, was seeing them at home plate, cheering me on and just getting on me. It was great and I think that’s what pumped me up the most.”
The Aztecs opened their season in Las Vegas at the College of Southern Nevada Kickoff Classic, where they went 5-1.
On Jan. 29 in the season opener, Jordan Trujillo pitched a gem, throwing a two-hitter and striking out 15, leading the Aztecs to an upset of No. 20 College of Southern Idaho.
“She had a great Vegas tournament,” Quiroz said. “I think she was double-digit strike outs in every game.”
Ballesteros hit the game-winning home run against Southern Idaho. Garcia debuted in a 5-3 win over North Idaho College, where sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo went 3-4.
On the second day, Pima started with an 11-3 loss to No. 13 Salt Lake City Community College, where Garcia got her first college loss. In the next game, Jordan Trujillo struck out 10 batters in a 4-2 win over Chipola College.
In the third game on Jan. 30, Garcia bounced back by getting a win after coming out of the bullpen in a 10 inning 7-6 win over the hosts. Pacheco went 5-11 on the day, with a home run and five RBIs. Ingram went 6-8.
Pima capped the CSN tournament with a 9-1 win over Western Nevada College Jan. 31. Garcia got the win and sophomore outfielder Chelsea Slama went 3-4, scored two runs and drove in one RBI.
The next two weeks are important as Pima tries to get home field advantage for the playoffs and force cold weather Yavapai College to come to Tucson in May.
On Feb. 12 at 2 p.m., the Aztecs host El Paso Community College. Then on Feb. 13, there will be no love lost when they host old rival, Division II No. 2 and defending ACCAC champion Phoenix College at home at noon.
On Feb. 20, PCC hosts Scottsdale Community College. Three days later, Pima travels to top-ranked defending national Yavapai.
“It’s an important month for us,” Quiroz said. “It is really important for us to get off to a good start, to kind of build a cushion.”
The season is young but the Aztecs are all over the NJCAA national stats. The team is seventh in batting average with 3.46 and eighth in fielding.
Jordan Trujillo is ranked No. 7 in the country in pitching with a 0.68 ERA, while Garcia is 30th with a 3.56 ERA. Jordan Trujillo is also No. 2 in strikeouts with 33, 1.60 per inning, while Garcia is ninth with 18.
Ingram is 46th with a .500 batting average while Pacheco is 48th, hitting .474. Pacheco is No. 7 in RBI with 10 and Ballesteros is 35th with six. Melina Trujillo is 37th in field percentage, .981, and Ballesteros is 39th with .979.
Online Extra: Softball Opening Day slideshow
By James Kelley
The Pima Community College softball team opened their 2010 campaign with a doubleheader sweep of Mesa Community College. The Aztecs beat the Thunderbirds 6-4 in the first game and then 10-0 in a game shortened by the mercy rule. Game two featured three PCC home runs, highlighted by a walk off round tripper by 4-foot-11 inch sophomore outfielder Danielle Bravo.
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