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In celebration of Black History Month, the men’s baseball team honored PCCs most famous and most decorated alumnus Jackie Robinson by sporting his throwback uniform in a Feb. 28 home game against Irvine Valley.

The Lancers would eventually lose the tribute game, 13-5, but the sentiment was not lost on the players.

“They were really excited to be in the Jerseys,” said Head Coach Evan O’Meara on his players thoughts. “They certainly know the history and significance of Jackie Robinson, and getting to play in that type of jersey on a day that honored him, was great.”

Present at the tribute game was President Mark Rocha, Athletic Director John Woods, PCC alumnus and former MLB all-star and world champion Darrell Evans, and Jackie’s niece, Kathy Robinson Young, who spoke before the opening pitch.

“I had never seen my uncle’s PJC uniforms,” Young said. “It really is an honor to call someone uncle after what had been presented.”

The game itself was not much of a competition as the visiting Lasers of Irvine Valley were hitting with ease and pitching an early no-hitter.

The score was 12-0 in favor of Irvine Valley until PCC scored five runs in the seventh inning.

PCC centerfielder Manny Pantoja was the lone bright spot as he hit for three RBIs in a largely poor team performance.

“I know they want to win, they never want to lose, it’s not in their DNA,” O’Meara said. “And they don’t need me to remind them that they got beat on a day we really wanted to have a strong showing.”

Coach O’Meara signified that despite the loss, Jackie’s historical significance was honored nonetheless: “I’m always touched by how connected baseball is to the fabric of our history and how it is that a man like Jackie changed the face of baseball, but the face of America,” he said.

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