Pirates, Buchanan make long-awaited 2022 season debut at home

It wasn't the start that new Porterville College head coach J.L. Buchanan likely envisioned. After taking over the program in late 2020, Buchanan and the Pirates were unable to play in 2021 because of the pandemic.

On Friday, PC made its long-awaited return to the field for the first time since March 10, 2020. Although the Pirates suffered an 11-2 loss to visiting Cerro Coso College, Buchanan and the Pirates will get another chance at their first win on Saturday (Jan. 29) when they host Barstow Community College in an 11 a.m. non-conference game.

On Friday, Porterville couldn't get anything going offensively until late in the game. The Pirates took advantage of four walks and a hit batter to score their lone runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Chris Ortega (1 for 3, 1 RBI) and Tyson Tellez (1 for 1) had hits for PC while Aidan Lessnau was credited with an RBI with his bases-loaded walk.

Jason Kramlich went four innings in the opening-day start for the Pirates. He allowed four runs and five hits while striking out four in the loss.

PC is scheduled to play six of its first seven games at home, including a three-game series next week against Mt. San Jacinto College.