ELAC Campus News Spring 2023 Issue 19

New campus production wonderfully absurd

BY S. HENNESSY MACHADOHIDALGO Staff Writer

“The Skin of Our Teeth” is a bizarre, fun existential ride reimagined and directed for an East Los Angeles audience by producing director James Buglewicz.

The three hours of the play guides the audience through an ice age, biblical flood and war with a combination of kooky comedy and heart.

Hazy blue lights and the sounds of wind immerse the audience into the 1950s home of the Antrobus family in Hacienda Heights during the ice age.

The family maid Sabina, played by Crystal Ruby Juarez, and Mrs. Antrobus, played by Andrea Reynoso, go from bickering to working together to block the entryway when unexpected guests arrive outside.

The equally adorable Dinosaur, played by Alexis Castro, and Mammoth, played by Lizbeth Solis Abarca, bemoan how cold they are outside and Mrs. Antrobus begrudgingly allows them in by the fire – the fire she had to restart because Sabina let it go out.

Sabina presents a careless front, but is deeply concerned and pessimistic – especially with her position in life.

Mrs. Antrobus consistently supports her family, but is resistant to show vulnerability.

Mr. Antrobus, played by Jesse Diaz, garners the public’s respect and admiration with his invention of math, the alphabet and the wheel, while Mrs. Antrobus is concerned with how their family will survive.

Their children Gladys and Henry, played by Julia Anahuac Chavez and Giovanny Benavente, have their mother’s love and vie for their father’s affection.

Henry is a young, fiery teenager with violent tendencies that have previously transformed the family.

Gladys is younger and gets joy from admiring her teddy bears and sharing her teachers’ praises with her parents.

She comforts her father with the praises she received as the family and the refugees they took in face the end.

The cuckoo clock above rings out and gradually distorts into maddening sounds as the stage fades to black.

The family survives the ice age and begins the second act in Las Vegas with Mr. Antrobus addressing a crowd lauding his presidency.

The crowd chants, “Enjoy yourselves!”

The Whee Mobile Driver, played by Marina Love Chavez, uses a cart powered by Mr. Antrobus’s invention to push passengers through the crowd as they cheerfully squeal. Chavez does a stand out job with comedic timing and accents.

In this land of hedonism, Sabina decides to cash in on Mr. Antrobus’s wandering eye. He embraces the seduction and breaks up his 5,000 year long marriage.

It could be tempting to write Sabina off as a home-wrecking villain in the second act, but each time she breaks the fourth wall the audience must face her complexity.

She breaks during the seduction scene when she says, “I don’t think the theater is the place to hurt people’s feelings.”

She thinks it’s especially not fair of Stage Manager Mr. Fitzpatrick, played by Colby Vasquez, to include such a scene given his history.

This leads to him breaking the fourth wall as well, walking from his operational booth to the stage for the first time in a heated fury.

The collaborative chemistry and depth created by Juarez and Reynoso between Sabina and Mrs. Antrobus also gains the empathy of the audience within the walls of the play.

The oppositional seductress chasing a better life and the mother seeking to maintain the unity of her family is a dynamic that builds up each act.

Diaz’s approach to Mr. Antrobus highlights his kinder aspects, making the audience not wish complete damnation of him in the coming biblical flood.

The sensual, jazzy tunes

BRACING AGAINST THEIR SINS—Julia Anahuac Chavez, Giovanny Benavente, Jesse Diaz, Andrea Reynoso, Crystal Ruby Juarez and Maia Ratiana as Gladys, Henry, Mr. Antrobus, Mrs. Antrobus, Sabina and Fortune Teller. The Antrobus family braces against a biblical flood in a Las Vegas gondola acting as Noah’s ark, while the Fortune Teller narrates doom.

accompanying the seduction shifts to the rumbling sounds of thunder and rain.

Animal cutouts rise above the back of the audience seats to represent the animals from the biblical story of Noah’s ark.

The cast and crew shift the set around while acting out being caught in the storm of the play.

The momentary extension of the stage past the audience is one the many fun experimental breaks from traditional theater the performance does.

The third act is introduced by the

transition of the storm sounds into gunfire.

Sabina calls out her lines in the Antrobus’ old home to no response, leading to yet another fourth wall break.

We learn from Mr. Fitzpatrick that several of the actors got COVID19 after a long night at Monterey Park’s Venice Room, a locally-loved karaoke bar. This reference got a few giggles and eyebrow raises from older audience members.

The play continues as the main cast is not affected, just late.

After the war, Gladys is now a mother herself and Henry rose through the ranks of the enemy side.

Henry hopes to kill his father on sight, but his mother meets him first. She leads him to their couch and takes off the colorful cobija, or blanket, around her shoulders to cover Henry as he rests and she

removes his gun.

Without his gun, Henry is not able to kill his father immediately when they meet. As Henry reaches for Mr. Antrobus’s neck, Sabina once again halts the play.

She worries because Henry got carried away before.

This leads to Henry and Mr. Antrobus breaking the fourth wall as well for a powerful moment that had the audience tearing up.

Henry says, “It’s as though you have to kill others to avoid killing yourself.”

Buglewicz brilliantly directed the play, the performers made even the most questionable characters endearing and the crew crafted a perfectly-suited ambience.

The play, as originally written by Thornton Wilder, took place in a fictional New Jersey town and had topical commentary regarding

1940s America.

Buglewicz reconceptualized the play with references to local locations and more recent events such as the pandemic. The play is absurd and abstract; for audiences who have seen the films “Don’t Look Up” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” the feelings, themes and structure feel familiar.

The wacky end-of-the-world plot and compassionate exploration of the human condition through varied realities makes this play heartfelt, thought-provoking and insanely entertaining.

The upcoming evening showtimes are 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday as well. Tickets can be purchased from ELACTheater.org for $10 or at the door for $12.

CN/TERESA ACOSTA

BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL—Crystal Ruby Juarez and Colby Vasquez as Sabina and Mr. Fitzpatrick. Sabina breaks the fourth wall to plead her case to skip acting out the seduction of Mr. Antrobus. This leads to the stage manager character to break the fourth wall as well, furiously walking onto the stage for the first time.

HOME AGAIN—Andrea Reynos, Crystal Ruby Juarez and Julia Anahuac Chavez as Mrs. Antrobus, Sabina and Gladys. The three women reunite in the Atrobus’ old home after a long war, and the now grown-up Gladys holds her newborn. They are pictured behind the fireplace.

CN/TERESA ACOSTA

CN/S. HENNESSY MACHADO-HIDALGO

Coffee with the Presidents ELAC College’s President and the ASU President will join students for coffee in F5-201 MPR next Tuesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. The open forum will provide important updates and will allow students to ask questions, express needs and provide input.

Students make simple DIY stress-relief craft

BY JOSEPH HERNANDEZ Staff Writer

Connecting with fellow students and making simple crafts were the focus of the Thursday “Do-It-Yourself Stress Ball Workshop.”

The workshop was organized by members of the The East Los Angeles College Basic Needs Center and the Screening & Treatment for Anxiety & Depression Program.

The STAND program is a partnership between ELAC, University of California, the city of Los Angeles and the LA County Department of Mental Health.

They want to provide a confidential support program that’s free for most students.

The ELAC Basic Needs Center provides for a student’s basic needs like food, transportation, personal care, mental health and housing.

A member of the STAND program said the workshops are put together to show what help and resources students at ELAC can use.

During the workshop, people encountered problems with the Orbeez, which are little balls of gel.

STRESS RELIEF —Stress balls created from balloons and orbeez that were made at the Do-It-Yourself Stress Ball Workshop held by STAND.

They would bounce all over the place if they were spilled by accident. Balloons would rip if overstuffed and squeezed too much.

Besides these very minor problems, people were enjoying the workshop. It’s easy to make a stress ball; you simply pour orbeez into a balloon.

The workshop was full for its duration. New people would replace those that left.

Some people knew about the workshop through social media,

while some found out about it by simply passing by the room and wanting to join in.

Each table had the materials needed to make a stress ball.

By the end a total of 16 students participated in the event.

The Basic Needs Center provides for a student’s basic needs like food, transportation, personal care, mental health, and housing.

During the workshop, a student accidentally let go of a balloon filled with air. It flew around the room for a bit but then nearly hit someone.

No one got in trouble or hurt, but people did start to laugh and the person that was almost hit was laughing too.

Students said they would participate in future stress-relief workshops.

Students at the workshop said it helped them relieve stress and get their minds off problems they had.

Jason Hein said the event was a reflection of daily living.

“Life is like making these stress balls, you put one Orbee at a time, because if you do too much then it’ll pop the balloon. With life, if you do too much at the same time, your mind can pop too,”

Hein said.

Hein said the workshop helped him make the connection and gave him a new perspective on life

A student at the event who didn’t want their name featured said, “It’s not just the stress balls that helps, but getting to meet and talk to people that really helps.

“You could go so long making a stress ball and it would be boring, but talking to people while making them is the fun part.”

Members of STAND laid out snacks for students to enjoy while making the stress balls.

In the background, music was playing through a speaker brought by members.

Professor honored with excellence award in education

BY JONATHAN BERMUDEZ Staff Writer

On April 11, the Academic Senate held a reception for political science Professor Kenneth Chaiprasert.

Chaiprasert earned the Gerald C. Hayward Award for Excellence in Education. In order to earn this award, the recipient must be nominated by their peers for strong levels of commitment to their students. Additionally, prospective candidates must show outstanding performance on campus and in school activities.

When it was time for the reception, those attending the meeting applauded Chaiprasert.

Senate President Jeff Hernandez spoke about the whole process of how Chaiprasert was nominated.

“It was a bit of a chore to do,” Hernandez said. He ended his part by saying he was really happy for [Chaiprasert].

Chaiprasert was the first to speak before his peers.

He was very honored to be a part of the East Los Angeles College community. He was also honored to have mentors who encourage him and tell him to keep doing what he was doing.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This award is also your award because I was inspired and continue to be inspired by each and every one of you,” Chaiprasert said.

Dean of Liberal Arts and Science, Kerrin McMahan said “[Chaiprasert] was such a wonderful choice and he’s been perfect from day one.”

She also said that she feels confident in Chaiprasert to take over as the older generation starts to leave ELAC.

“He has an incredible heart. He really cares about his students, in the classroom, outside of the classroom,” Marcel Morales department chair and professor of sociology said.

Morales jokingly says his voice is really loud and with it he can sing and do impressions well.

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COURTESY OF KEVIN JIMENEZ

DISTINGUISHED —Professor Kenneth Chaiprasert receives the Gerald C. Hayward Award. The award is given to those whose peers believe are committed to education.

It was very emotional for him to speak as he said he gets choked up each time.

“Sometimes you yourself don’t believe you’re good enough,” he said.

Although he jokes about Chaiprasert’s voice, Morales says that he uses it to advocate for the college for all the faculty and the Sociology Department.

Artistic expression used to bring awareness to sexual violence

BY APRIL RODRIGUEZ Staff Writer

A group of students used a pair of jeans to artistically express their thoughts and emotions on sexual assault.

It was a small and intimate group in which only five females and one male participated.

The theme of the meeting was healing through your trauma as students manage school.

The meeting was split into two portions.

The first half was students getting to know each other and sharing whatever was in their heart.

The second half was the arts and crafts portion, where students decorated two pairs of jeans as a form of artistic expression while also bringing awareness to sexual assault.

Some students drew images of flowers and wrote empowering words while others wrote more direct messages.

Some common themes found on the jeans were human trafficking, sexual assault and trauma.

While decorating the pants, students were able to bond with one another while diving deeper into the event.

The event was led by the campus advocate for the Women’s and Men’s Center.

The Women’s and Men’s Center is a non-profit organization that is partnered up with the East Los Angeles College campus and provides free services for students.

The services include reporting options, individual counseling and support groups. “The only qualifications

needed is proof that you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, human trafficking or stalking.

“Students can also get services for family members at their location off campus.

“The services off campus are free as well for non-students,”

staff worker Daniela Herrera said.

Herrera has worked with this company for a few years and brings awareness to what their organization provides.

Herrera provided a safe and welcoming environment for these students. She said these events are not only for women, but men as well. She encouraged students to express themselves as we discussed some of the issues she comes across in the organization. She also provided information for students if they wanted to get tested for HIV or if they needed any other self help.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and there will be multiple events coming from the East Los Angeles Women’s center. Upcoming events include a

poetry workshop and a workshop for faculty members who want to learn the signs of sexual abuse or human trafficking.

The last event will be the Art Exhibition and Runway Show on Friday, April 28 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the F5 Multi-purpose Room, second floor.

The event will focus on sexual harassment awareness and will include the pairs of jeans that were decorated during the support group meeting.

For more information on these upcoming events, you can contact Andrea Owens or Eileen Le via email. For information on the Women’s and Men’s Center you can contact Herrera via email.

Andrea Owens: owensas@ elac.edu, Eileen le: ieef@elac. edu, Daniela Herrera: dherrera@ elawc.org

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“The services [provided by the Women and Men’s Center] are free as well for non-students.”

DANIELA HERRERA Staff worker at the Women and Men’s Center

CN/JOSEPH HERNANDEZ

BIRDS OF A FEATHER—Graphico, watercolor, antique 24k gold thread, Sambe, 24k gold leaf, oak gall from Elysian Park, siver wire, ports on goatskin, parchment, brass nails and oak frame combined, inspired by Goh Choo San.

South Gate showcases career and technical education event

Career Pathways: Students hear lectures from faculty and staff regarding possible pathways in tech and health.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Randy Hoggan presents hardware used by the Engineering and Technologies Department to LAUSD students during the CTE event at ELAC’s South Gate campus on Tuesday.

VPAM launches new exhibit

‘Kang Seung Lee: The Heart of A Hand’ is a tribute to Singaporean-born choreographer Goh Choo San

The Vincent Price Art Muesuem’s new exhibit is a tribute to Goh Choo San. Goh was a Singeporean choreographer who made an impact in promient ballet companies in Asia, Europe and North America. Goh died at 39 years old from an AIDSrelated illness.

Despite the large impact made by Goh, his legacy is left out of queer, cultural and dance history. To honor the choregraphy work of Goh, the exhibit showcases a 13 minute long video of choregrapher and dancer Joshua Serafin loosely based on Goh’s neo-classical ballet. Serafin collaborated with Nathan Mercury Kim to produce this key central component of the exhibit. The video features Serafin dancing in a black room to exhilirating music. The music featured is from KIRARA; the artist is a transgender composer and musician from Seoul that created the soundtrack to re-energize queer life and experiences. The exhibit is a collabaration of work and pieces from queer artists that forms new connections and history

SIDE BY SIDE—Wood frames side by side on the Vincent Price Art Musuem walls. Each frame contains combinations of letters, photographs, watercolor, gold thread, oak and goatskin. All frames are inspired by Goh Choo San.

installation is showcased throughout the exhibition.

to transcribe passages from several poems by Mexican writer

‘Luther’ film picks up where series left off

LEONARDO CERVANTES Staff Writer

Adapting a series with multiple seasons into a condensed two-hour film always has pros and cons but “Luther: The Fallen Sun” picks up where the series ended.

The first 30 minutes of the film are mostly exposition and previews the chaos to ensue. The action and psychological scenes are on par with the series.

As a stand-alone film it does its job, it grabs the viewer’s attention with thrilling scenes throughout the film.

For long-time fans of the Luther series this feels like a nice bonus episode, but it doesn’t expand much on the lore of the series.

The crowning moment of the film is a prison riot scene where all hell breaks loose.

John Luther, played by Idris Elba, goes berserk inside the prison and pounces on his enemies. He takes on multiple prisoners at once and leaves them begging for mercy.

The scene is a bit over the top, but it gives one of the most decorated actors of the century a chance to show off his acting range; it was possibly his most violent scene ever.

The cinematography is brilliant. The film is set in London and allowed directors to take advantage of the skyscrapers and gloomy

weather that really emphasize the setting. The camera angle during action scenes shows the versatility of fighting styles between Luther and main antagonist David Robey, played by Andy Serkis..

Awesome chase and stealth scenes take place on the train tracks. There are also some car chases that showcase the city’s skyscrapers and compact streets.

The lack of screen time among other actors was jarring because they excel in the short stints that they are on camera for.

Robey’s unpredictability keeps viewers on the edge of their seat; he’s a mysterious but tactical foe for Luther.

For long-time Luther fans of the series this felt like a nice bonus episode, but doesn’t expand much on the lore of the series.

Cynthia Erivo as Odette Raine plays the role of a no-nonsense boss. She truly shines and deserves more screen time.

Serkis plays the mysterious and devious antagonist role perfectly.

Serkis as Robey is also brilliant casting because he’s significantly smaller and less intimidating than Elba’s Luther.

It’s a perfect contrast; Robey is small, but cunning and manipulative while Luther is both physically gifted and knowledgeable.

One thing lacking with Robey’s character was his reasoning for wanting to stop Luther. The film didn’t make that clear and left it up to the viewers to interpret. That always feels like lazy writing on the part of writers. Whether it’s a valid or dumb reason, villains should always have a clear motivation for their actions. Although Elba seems brilliant in any role he plays, the film’s average script feels like a waste of Elba’s performance.

The film is decent, but there isn’t anything special or memorable about it. Elba’s fans will be able to enjoy another brilliant acting performance by him, but the lack of broader cast involvement is a letdown.

The film is rated R and has a run time of two hours and nine minutes. The film is available to watch on Netflix.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SOLEIL CARDENAS Staff Writer

HELPING HANDS—The installation uses artist Martin Wong’s stylized American Sign Language font

Xavier Villurrutia. The multi-piece

POWER 106 AT SOUTH GATE Victor Ulloa (left) meets LAUSD students for the CTE event held at the ELAC South Gate campus on Tuesday.

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS LAUSD students meet ELAC faculty for the CTE event at the South Gate campus on Tuesday.

PHOTOS BY DIEGO LINARES

TUNNEL VISION—After escaping prison John Luther flees into the Underground. Luther stares down the empty tracks moments before a fight breaks out.

Softball unable to end losing streak, lose to Cerritos

BY OSCAR MARTINES Staff Writer

The softball team did not break their losing streak on Monday as Cerritos scored eight runs in 10 hits in an 8-2 game. The Huskies landed five hits, but were only able to produce two runs.

Shortstop Priscilla Hernandez led the way with two doubles and a single, which included a play of her stealing home plate to score a run.

The Huskies’ pitching also struggled throughout the game.

Each pitcher allowed multiple runs during their time on the field.

Cerritos began the game with their first three batters finding their way onto the bases, one of them being walked and the other two hit singles.

First baseman Marley Manalo was responsible for the first single of the game. During the second single of the game, she found her way to home plate and scored the first of many runs for Cerritos.

The Huskies would respond with a run of their own at the bottom of the first inning. Hernandez secured a double to midfield, followed by a single from right fielder Sydney Carter that put Hernandez at third and in position to tie the game.

Carter then caused a distraction with her attempt to steal second base, which was unsuccessful.

However, Hernandez stole home plate and ended the first inning with a 1-1 tie.

At the top of the second inning, catcher Jimena Velazquez would make the most of her first at bat, after being walked, by stealing second base. Velazquez then reached third after left fielder Jocelyn Doan’s hit was caught for an out.

Following an RBI single from second baseman Alyssa Sotelo, she scored the second run of the game for Cerritos.

The next few innings were scoreless, but as Cerritos was close to extending the lead, the Huskies made an amazing save at the top of

the third inning. With a player at third base, pinch hitter Monique Rangel looked to add another run for Cerrritos and push away from the Huskies. Rangel successfully hit the ball, but the celebration was short-lived. The Huskies quickly recovered the ball and earned a double play on first base and home plate, ending the inning and momentarily preventing Cerritos from increasing the lead. Heading into the top of the fifth inning, the Huskies played defensively very well, but this all changed as Cerritos’ batting came up big on their way to growing the lead.

The Huskies gave up a walk to Manalo at the start of the inning, followed by a single from third baseman Brooklyn Bedolla. Cerritos added to their lead as shortstop Miranda Diaz hit an RBI single to far right that led Manalo to home plate and moved Bedolla to third base.

The hits did not stop for Cerritos as center fielder Alyssa Caps also

hit a single of her own, which gave Cerritos more opportunities to score with the bases loaded.

To end the scoring runs for Cerritos in the inning, Velazquez hit a single to left field that allowed both Diaz and Capps to score.

The Huskies made quick work of the next two batters and ended the inning with a 5-1 deficit.

The score remained unchanged until the top of the seventh inning, as Cerritos looked to finish the game with a greater lead.

Capps responded once again at bat as she hit a bunt to secure a single, then she stole second base to move her closer to a scoring opportunity.

Velazquez secured an RBI as she hit a triple to midfield that moved Capps to home and added to the lead.

Although designated player Maddy Guillen’s hit flew out to left field, she earned an RBI as Velazquez made her way to home plate and scored the second run of the inning.

Doan was not able to do much at

Badminton swept in singles, doubles competition

BY MARC ANTHONY MARTINEZ Staff Writer

The badminton team were swept in singles and doubles competition against Pasadena City College Friday, continuing their six-game losing streak.

The Huskies had a hard time against Pasadena due to the amount of experience on the team. The Huskies team consists of a majority of firstyear players, some who had never played badminton before the start of the season, whereas Pasadena’s team consisted of many players who had high school experience.

The Huskies single players had rallied in some of their respective games, but little mistakes started adding up and Pasadena was able to capitalize on them.

At times, the Huskies either hit the shuttlecock onto the net or just missed it and waved at it with the racket as it hit the floor.

experience being able to do so.

One of the Pasadena players even closed a door where the equipment room was because it was affecting her play.

The Huskies did not seem to mind it, and even when some of the Pasadena players mentioned it to them, the Huskies kept on playing.

With doubles games happening, it freed up some of the courts and players were able to stay loose by practicing with each other.

In between games, some players sat down and watched the other games that were going on, until their next match started.

One of these players, Stephanie Fuentes, sat with her mother and her sister on the bleachers across the courts where the players were sitting.

Fuentes’ mother rooted for her in every match she played, whether it was doubles or singles. Every time Fuentes earned a point, her mother and sister cheered.

bat as she was hit by a pitch, but she took advantage of her spot at first base by stealing second and earning another run for Cerritos.

Sotelo’s double gave her enough time to grow the lead 8-1.

With their final inning to play, the Huskies were determined to find a way to add some runs and make a comeback against Cerritos.

The bottom of the inning did not start well for the Huskies, with center fielder Nathalie Cordova’s hit being caught out.

Designated player Arianna Cobian then walked, and was replaced by pinch runner Audrey Aguirre at first base.

Following a ground out and with one out left in the game, second baseman Emilia Corona found the ball and landed a single to right field, securing a second run for the Huskies.

The game ended with pitcher Amaya Zaldivar being struck out. The losing streak for the Huskies was extended to four and sealed the score at 8-2, in favor of Cerritos.

When they were playing doubles, the Huskies looked in sync with each other and had great chemistry.

The Huskies ended up hitting it short at times and were not getting the shuttlecock over the net or not serving the right way, costing them points.

Despite losing all their games played against Pasadena, coach Qui Nguy was proud of his team.

Nguy said he told his players, “Have fun, try hard. You’re playing against the number one team,” smiling even when his team was defeated.

The games began on six different courts, with each one of them hosting a singles game.

As the singles games finished, some of the players jumped to their doubles competition.

On two of the courts, Pasadena players started looking at the vents on top of them and talked to each other about how they could feel the air.

This caused them to adjust how they played, showing their

When Nguy saw his team staying loose on the court, he took it as an opportunity to coach and answer any questions.

Whenever the players switched sides, Nguy talked to them, giving them as much advice as he could offer.

Nguy walked around talking to players, as well as talking to Fuentes’ mom about how she had been doing this year.

Nguy talked to the Pasadena coach and collected the scores when each game ended.

Once the last game ended, the Huskies started taking the nets apart from the side that was not in use anymore.

The Huskies then waited for the last game to finish, and once it was over, the two opposing players hit the ends of the Badminton racket as a show of respect and congratulated each other on the game.

The Huskies will face Compton this Friday, the last game of the season before the Conference Tournament starts on April 28.

Softball wins, loses in back-to-back games

Softball sweeps series against Compton Softball’s rough April continues

BY HANNAH BELT Staff Writer

The softball team beat Compton College again last Thursday with a score of 4-0.

Huskies pitcher Jaqueline Martinez is credited with delivering a shutout for the team where no runs were scored by their opposition.

“Jackie dominated. She threw a great game with no walks,” said Coach Blanco.

Blanco emphasized the importance of a game with no walks paving a way for the Huskies’ win by keeping runners off the bases.

Within the entire seven innings, Martinez only gave up two hits.

After the victory, Martinez said, “I feel really good after this game. I’m starting to gain back my confidence slowly but surely.”

Martinez acknowledged that she previously felt “a little off” but the win against Compton boosted her confidence in her pitching skills.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the fifth inning.

All of the Huskies scoring took place in a rally during the fifth and sixth innings.

In the fifth inning, an error by Compton’s first baseman

allowed second baseman Emilia Corona to advance to third base.

With Corona at third and first baseman Darla Sandoval at first, the Huskies finally had an opportunity to score with no outs in the inning.

Catcher Arianna Cobian grounded out at first, but her hit allowed Sandoval to advance to second.

On the next play, center fielder Nathalie Cordova landed a solid hit to third base, where yet again a Compton player dropped the ball.

This error allowed for Corona and Sandoval to score and put the Huskies on the board with a score of 2-0.

Entering the sixth inning, shortstop Priscilla Hernandez connected with a double to outfield with a hit powerful enough to get to second base.

Hernandez advanced to third base following a fly out from Carter.

Pitcher Jaqueline Martinez earned an RBI on her next at bat as she hit a single up the middle and brought Hernandez home, raising the score to 3-0.

Pinch runner Aneesah Gutierrez replaced Martinez at first in an attempt to give the Huskies some leverage for a scoring opportunity.

Corona once again hit the ball

to the outfield where Compton’s outfielder dropped the ball yet again.

The Huskies now found themselves with a major advantage with the bases loaded following a Sandoval walk.

Cobian was up next and she connected with the ball, but her hit was not enough as Gutierrez was thrown out at home.

Following the out, the Compton catcher threw the ball to first where yet again Compton’s first baseman was unable to secure the out.

Corona scored for the Huskies and increased the score to 4-0.

Martinez secured the win for the Huskies in the final inning of the game as each batter she faced hit the ball directly to her, setting up three easy outs at first.

After the game, Blanco said that she was “super proud of the girls.”

BY ALAN LAYVA Staff Writer

It was another tough game for the softball team, as their recent struggles continued with a crushing 12-0 defeat to Pasadena City College on Friday afternoon.

The game kicked off with a bang as Pasadena came out swinging and were able to get an early 2-0 lead.

However, it was in the top of the fourth where Pasadena really started to dominate, scoring a total of eight runs to increase their lead.

The Huskies struggled in that brutal fourth inning, as pitcher Jaqueline Martinez allowed a base knock into shallow center field, which was followed by a bunt that moved the runner to second, then third after a throwing error by Martinez on the same play.

The following batter Martinez faced caught a fastball right in her back and that lead to loaded bases.

Pasadena then executed a successful squeeze play, allowing them to score two runs and increase their lead to 4-0.

Another batter hit by Martinez loaded the bases once again, and a double by Marcella Ordonez for Pasadena allowed yet another runner to score.

Martinez continued to struggle, hitting another batter and loading the bases once again.

A knock by Olivia Nanez into left field drove in two more runs for Pasadena, and the score was now 7-0.

The situation only got worse for the Huskies as Ruiz drove in another two runs with a single, bringing the score to 9-0 with only one out in the top of the fourth.

A fielder’s choice by the Huskies’ third baseman allowed yet another run to be scored, and the score was now 10-0 with two outs in the top of the fourth.

The Huskies finally managed to get out of the inning after a fly out by Rodriguez for Pasadena.

However, the game was not without some outside drama.

In the top of the fourth, a fan interfered with the game by heading toward the Pasadena dugout and yelling obscenities.

The incident was scary for most of the players and surrounding parents and fans in the general area.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Huskies were unable to get any momentum going, and the inning ended scoreless.

The fifth inning began with Pasadena hitting back-to-back singles and another pitching change for the Huskies.

However, the change did not bring the results the Huskies were hoping for, as Pasadena continued to score.

A gap single by Ordonez allowed another runner to cross the plate, bringing the score to 11-0 with no outs.

A sacrifice fly to deep center field by Nanez drove in another run for Pasadena, and the score was now 12-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, it was more of the same for the Huskies, as they were unable to score.

Pasadena’s dominant pitcher, Austyn Helmuth, continued to stifle the Huskies, and the game was called early due to the mercy rule.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, this loss marked their ninth defeat in the last 10 games, highlighting the need for improvement in the team’s performance.

PHOTO BY DIEGO LINARES

HOME SWEET HOME—Pinch runner Audrey Aguirre slides to home plate to score for the Huskies and cut Cerritos’ lead down.