By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Even for the most talented of athletes, there is typically a slight learning curve or minor adjustments that one makes while transitioning from high school to college baseball.

That hasn’t been the case for PCC freshman Gabriel Arellano.

The Lancers’ center fielder leads the entire state of California with 42 hits in just 19 games to begin his college career.

In those 19 games, he has yet to go 0-for in a single contest.

The 18-year old paces and sets the tone for the PCC offense, and does so from the leadoff spot.

Of the six offensive categories he leads the Lancers in, none is quite as striking as the 42 base hits.

The next closest amongst his teammates is former Maranatha star Marco Martinez, who is 19 hits back of his fellow freshman with 23.

His .438 batting average is 94 points higher than Ryan Lewis, who is second among PCC batters that have logged 60 at-bats or more this season.

The .438 average is also tied for third best in the state with Sierra’s Zack Jensen.

Arellano’s 22 RBIs, 26 runs, eight doubles and three stolen bases are team highs.

Arellano is second to Martinez among the Lancers for on-base percentage (.466) and slugging percentage (.521).

Before coming to PCC, Arellano led Monrovia to a CIF-SS Division 4 title game appearance last year.

The Wildcats fell to La Quinta, 6-5, but Arellano was still named the CIF-SS Division 4 Player of the Year.

In his senior season, he finished with 42 hits and a .467 average.

Arellano scored 27 runs, drove in 23 and had 10 doubles.

While at Monrovia, Arellano was part of three Rio Hondo League titles and 78 wins, including nine postseason victories.

In all, Arellano amassed 99 base hits in his prep career, along with 64 runs scored and 16 doubles.

Arellano credited longtime Monrovia coach Brad Blackmore with a slew of things, but the thing he’s most thankful for didn’t even happen on a baseball field.

Blackmore took what Arellano himself acknowledged was a lazy approach in the classroom and had the then-freshman rearrange his priorities and time management skills.

“Coach Blackmore is like a father figure to me and he had my back through a lot of ups and downs in high school,” Arellano said. “He really helped me focus on what mattered most and always challenged me to be the best in everything I do. He helped me grow up in many ways.”

For his part, Blackmore is one of Arellano’s biggest fans.

“I’m not surprised in the slightest at how well Gabriel is playing. He worked hard every day and in the four years I had him, he was a better player tomorrow than he was the day before because of that work ethic. He comes from a great home with educated and intelligent parents,” his former coach said.

Arellano said he wasn’t highly recruited out of Monrovia, and that PCC was a no brainer because of the success Pat McGee has had since taking over the program five years ago.

The Lancers are 12-7 and begin a three-game series this week with Chaffey in division play.

PCC isn’t as healthy as they’d like, but they’re not making excuses and the Lancers will go to battle with whomever is ready to go.

The big push to make a postseason appearance very much heats up this week, and it’s exactly why Arellano is there.

“I hit it off with Coach McGee right off the bat, and I knew of his success and how hard he works to make his players better on and off the field. His passion for the sport and his efforts in helping his guys get to the next level is something that people who play or played for him appreciate. He really helped me on my approach to hitting.”

McGee, who is known to be a hard-ass, doesn’t do it for the fun of knocking a player down a notch or two, he is all about developing boys into men and men into leaders.

He wants his players to know life isn’t easy or fair and that being challenged is an invaluable tool that will serve them well as the years and decades pass, and as these young men become husbands and fathers.

And as prickly as he can be when he chooses to make a point, the greatest joy McGee gets (other than being with his wife and kids) is to watch the ascension of his athletes as both players and young men, and doing his part in finding them a home at the four-year level.

“Gabriel’s work ethic and approach to hitting is so good that when he makes an out, the coaches and players are almost a little surprised,” McGee said. “He has the opportunity through his hard work to be one of the best hitters in the history of this school. He’s working hard every day to become the most complete player he can be, and he is also a humble and bright young man.”

How did Arellano turn out this way in just 18 years on this planet?

Arellano gives most of the credit to his father, Gabriel Sr., and his mother Lupe.

“My dad and I share this love of baseball and we work out together on Sunday’s and that time is very special to us. Both of my parents have been so instrumental in making me the best person and student I can be, and then baseball comes after that. I am lucky to have such caring and supportive parents and it’s been a huge key to my success in everything I attempt to do,” Arellano said.

He was also and continues to be inspired by his cousin, Carlos Fisher.

Fisher played at Duarte High School, which isn’t exactly a baseball power program.

He was drafted by the San Diego Padres and then released, only to bounce back to Citrus College and then Lewis and Clark.

Fisher got a second chance with the Cincinnati Reds, and he’s still competing in the Mexican League, as he chases his dreams.

Many times during our Sunday phone interview, Arellano sought to inject the importance and roles of both his teammates and coaches impact on the program’s current success.

He was very much uncomfortable with the idea of getting the lion’s share of the credit for PCC being in position to contend for a conference title and a postseason berth.

Said Arellano: “There isn’t a guy on this team that hasn’t impacted us in a positive way and I’m very thankful for all they do, and I try as hard as I can to be the best teammate possible. I feel the chemistry on this team is really positive. We joke around a lot, but when it’s time to be serious and do our jobs, we can turn the switch. Each guy on this team is dedicated to not only competing for a conference title, but to continue the success of this program since Coach McGee took over.”

If PCC makes the run they are capable of making, Arellano will have had a big role.

But so will a number of guys that Arellano said are contributing just as much as he is.

Gordon Ingebritson is 3-1 on the mound with a 2.91 ERA and the future UC Irvine pitcher has a better than 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Patrick Pena has been another steady arm, and has won five games for PCC.

Offensively, PCC’s also spearheaded by Marco Martinez.

The Lancers’ freshman is batting .333 with 23 hits, 17 RBI and a team-high four home runs.

As mentioned, his .477 on-base percentage and .577 slugging percentage are tops at PCC for those with 60 at-bats or more.

Cole Pillar is batting .400 with 22 hits, 16 runs scored and he’s driven in 14 runs.

Ryan Lewis has also been key.

Lewis has 21 hits, 14 runs and 17 RBIs, while hitting at a .344 clip.

PCC will host Chaffey College on Tuesday and Saturday and travel to Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday to take on the Panthers.

Quotable:

Monrovia coach Brad Blackmore: “Gabriel is a total team guy. He’s the kind of person that could go 0-for-4, but if we won, he was the happiest kid there. I rarely ask a younger player to be a leader, but from the midway point of his sophomore year, I knew I wanted him to be the guy that led the way, and he did a great job leading our guys. No one sets higher standards for Gabriel more than he does for himself.”

PCC coach Pat McGee: “Gabriel is one of those guys that every coach wants nine of. He’s completely dedicated to the sport, to the program and contributing in as many ways as he can. But he’s also a selfless, a team-first guy and his teammates love him for it. I appreciate so much the attitude and work ethic that he brings to the field on a daily basis.”

PCC freshman Marco Martinez: “I think Gabe is a prime example of see the ball, hit the ball. It doesn’t matter if he’s ahead or behind in the count, he finds a way to put the bat on the ball and gets hits. He is a great sparkplug at the top of the lineup and is as good a teammate as anyone could ask for.”

Getting To Know Gabriel Arellano:

Favorite Sports Team: Dodgers

Favorite Athlete: Bryce Harper

Favorite Movie: Backdraft

Favorite Musical Artist: Florida Georgia Line

Musical Artist People Might Be Surprised I Like: Luke Bryan

Historical Figure (dead or alive) I’d Like To Speak With: Derek Jeter

Gabriel Arellano’s high school stats at Monrovia:

2018: .467 average, 42 hits, 27 runs, 23 RBIs, 10 doubles.

2017 .442, 34 hits, 16 runs, 14 RBIs, 4 doubles.

2016: .278, 22 hits, 16 runs, 13 RBIs, 2 doubles.

2015: .067, 1 hit, 4 runs, 1 RBI.

** Thanks to Richard Quinton for the photo.