Rodriguez Leads Ambush of Tigers Earning All-OEC Honors
After finishing the year in second place in the Orange Empire Conference, Riverside City College saw Jorge Rodriguez named Pitcher of the Year, while eight other Tigers picked up all-conference honors.
Jake Valenzuela and Ryan Jenkins each grabbed first-team starting pitcher honors, while Charlie Ruggles grabbed first-team relief pitcher distinction. Bubba Heidler was named a first-team infielder, and Grant Gray picked up first-team utility honors. Luis Sosa (infield), Gavin Egan (outfield), and Aiden Erlandsen (designated hitter) grabbed second-team recognition.
Rodriguez finished the year with a 7-1 record, making 12 appearances on the year with 11 starts. The sophomore left-handed pitcher threw 57.2 innings, boasting a 2.18 ERA, which led the conference. Rodriguez heads into the postseason with 52 strikeouts under his belt.
Valenzuela finished the regular season with the third-best ERA, boasting a 2.71 over 66.1 innings. The sophomore right-handed pitcher tossed 53 strikeouts to lead the OEC and heads into postseason boasting a 6-1 record, with one save on the year after making 13 appearances, including 12 starts.
Jenkins gave RCC a triple threat for its starting pitchers after finishing the year with a 2.45 ERA, which ranked second in the conference. The sophomore right-handed pitcher has thrown 44 strikeouts in 47.2 innings of action, boasting a 4-0 record with 10 appearances, eight starts, and one complete game.
In 23.0 innings of action, Ruggles boasts a 3-0 record on the year. The freshman right-handed pitcher has made 12 appearances and one start, tossing 15 strikeouts and boasting a 1.57 ERA.
Heidler is batting .322 after the regular season with 48 hits on 149 appearances at the plate. The sophomore infielder has hit seven doubles and two home runs, scoring 35 times and batting in a team-high 38 RBIs (eighth in the OEC). Heidler also has 16 walks and 12 stolen bases on the year.
Gray heads into the postseason with a .398 batting average, with 45 hits off 113 at-bats. The sophomore utility has scored 29 runs himself, while knocking in 36 RBIs to sit 10th in the conference standings. Of his 45 hits, Gray has 13 doubles, two triples, and one home run this year. He has also drawn 13 walks and stolen four bases.
Sosa boasts a .373 batting average (50-of-134), including seven doubles and two triples. The sophomore infielder leads the team with 43 runs scored, while also batting in 22 RBIs. Sosa also has 18 walks and has been hit by a pitch 22 times, which leads the OEC and ranks eighth in the 3C2A.
Egan leads the Tigers with a .442 batting average heading into the postseason. The freshman outfielder has 19 hits in 43 at-bats, including two doubles, a triple, and two home runs. Egan has scored 14 runs and batted in 10 others, while stealing nine bases on the year.
Erlandsen has been getting hot of late, grabbing at least one hit in the last 17 games. The freshman outfielder/designated player heads into the postseason with a .361 batting average (35-of-97), with nine doubles, three triples, and five home runs so far. He has also drawn 19 walks, scored 28 times, and knocked in 34 RBIs.
Riverside hosts the first round of the 3C2A Regional this weekend, playing the loser of Santa Barbara City College and San Diego Mesa College on Friday at 3 p.m.
Complete list of All-OEC Honorees