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After 14 straight losses going back to the 2013 season, the PCC baseball team finally achieved their first victory of the 2014 season as they defeated the Antelope Valley College Marauders on the road by a score of 9-6 on Friday, Jan. 31.

The Lancers, who now have a record of 1-3 on the season, managed to flex their muscle in their second game of the season against AVC. The offense has been led by freshman outfielder PJ DeZotell, who won the “Southern California Player of the Week” award in California Community College Baseball. DeZotell stormed onto the scene in his first week as a collegiate athlete, totaling six hits and four RBI’s in 12 at-bats.

“I’m very honored to be included in such an elite category and I’m very satisfied to accomplish a feat like this so early in my college baseball career,” said DeZotell regarding his award. “My teammates were just as happy as I was when they found out I won the award and hopefully it will give us confidence throughout the season.”

In the victory over AVC on Friday, all nine starters for the Lancers on offense reached base at least once as they tallied 13 hits and patiently drew nine walks from AVC pitchers. Outside of DeZotell, the Lancers had three hits from sophomore shortstop Bobby Fraijo and two hits from sophomore catcher Jason Clark. Freshman third baseman Jerry Ponce and freshman outfielder Steven San Miguel each had RBI doubles in the win.

Clark has been impressed with the way the pitchers have performed, especially the poise showed by freshman starting pitcher Jason Marquez in the victory over AVC. Marquez, who got off to a rocky start in the first inning by giving up three runs, pitched the following four innings without giving up a single hit. He was relieved in the sixth inning by sophomore pitcher Tim Shiba.

“Marquez is a very talented young pitcher who works extremely hard at practice to better himself,” said Clark about his teammate. “In his game at Antelope Valley he kept battling, never gave in and he pitched a great game to get the win.”

Despite losing 2-1 Saturday to AVC and then 5-2 to Oxnard College on Tuesday, the Lancer pitching has been very solid and looks to get even better. DeZotell is confident in his teammates and head coach Evan O’Meara going forward.

“Coach O’Meara often preaches about playing baseball one pitch at a time,” said DeZotell. “We never let the last play or pitch affect the possible outcome of the present pitch. We are a very young but talented team and we should definitely scrap out some wins together soon.”

After playing one more road game against Oxnard College on Feb. 6, the Lancers will finally play their home opener in a doubleheader against Cerro Coso College. The two games will be on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Brookside Park’s Jackie Robinson Memorial Field at 11 AM followed by the second game at 2 PM.

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