They say to be the best, you have to beat the best.

Porterville College softball learned it still has a way to go after taking its lumps against a handful of Nor-Cal’s finest at last weekend’s Fresno Bash at Buchanan.

In five games, the Pirates limped away with one victory, but with pride still intact.

“It was a good test for us,” PC coach Vickie Dugan said. “You always want to play against the best teams and see where you’re at. We got some nice work out of our relief pitchers, Kaylona Mikalauski and Deven Baum.”

As usual, however, starting ace Jennifer Gliddon got most of the burn, but struggled against some of the top hitters in the tourney.

Against No. 3 Sacramento City College, the Pirates gave up 10 runs while touching home plate just once.

Stacey Campos and Cati Highley each finished 1-for-2 as PC notched just two hits.

The Pirates rebounded with a five-inning crushing over Allan Hancock College as Kasey Nichols belted a three-run home run and a double to put the Pirates on top, 9-1.

Kelly Dotzler, Danielle Nolan and Tiffanee Anderson each added two hits in the victory.

On Sunday, Porterville lost all three games, starting with a 6-1 setback to No. 7 College of the Siskiyous. Five Pirates racked up one hit each to little avail.

Against No. 1 Sierra, Nichols tripled and Nolan and Lopez each registered a hit, but the Pirates’ pitching had little success as they fell, 9-1, in six innings.

In Sunday’s final game against Chabot College, Nichols continued her strong showing, hitting 3-of-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles, but PC fell just shy of victory at 9-8.

Anderson connected twice and Dotzler, Gliddon each contributed a hit.

Sophomore Stevie Lopez homered for two RBI.

“I thought we did some good things, but we need to learn how to keep our intensity level up,” Dugan said.

The Pirates (8-9, 1-1 Central Valley Conference) embark on a brutal stretch of 13 straight road games, including today’s double-header visit to fifth-ranked Fresno City College.