NEW PORT RICHEY - Victor Roldan, a 2003 Pasco-Hernando Community College graduate, set a school career hits record last season. Now he is tied for second.
Roldan (Land O'Lakes) finished his PHCC career with 133 hits, a mark almost surpassed twice in the Conquistadors' final week.
Lee Cruz passed Roldan in the final game, a 16-9 loss to St. Petersburg College on April 24, and Orlando Rosales, who also was Cruz's teammate at Pasco, tied Roldan in that game. Cruz has 136 hits.
"I missed four games last year, so I made it easier on them," Roldan said jokingly. "I'm not heartbroken. I'm happy for them."
Cruz, a second baseman who as a freshman established the PHCC single-season hits record with 79, went 3-for-5 in PHCC's season finale.
"Lee's one of my good friends," Roldan said. "After last year, I figured he didn't have to have a great season to break it."
Cruz and Rosales, a centerfielder, will remain teammates next season; both signed with Tampa.
Rosales, an All-Suncoast Conference first-teamer, led PHCC with a .335 average this season. He also had team highs in runs (42), hits (65) and at-bats (194).
Cruz, named an all-conference second-teamer, batted .303 this season and led the Conquistadors in doubles (13), triples (four), home runs (four) and RBIs (33).
SIGNINGS: PHCC signed three players: Seminole outfielder Kyle Scott, right-handed pitcher Jarad Gower of Orlando and catcher/outfielder Brandon Mand of Mason, Ohio.
SOFTBALL CAMP: PHCC's softball team, which finished 21-31, 4-12 in the conference, scheduled a camp for June 7-10 at the New Port Richey campus field. The camp runs from 9 a.m. through noon each day. Cost is $65 per player. For more information, call coach Tom Ryan at (727) 816-3361.
