Posted: Apr 25, 2013
Brown’s Bases-loaded Game-winning RBI Single Gives Tigers a 3-2 Win over Fullerton
RIVERSIDE – Courtney Brown socked a bases-loaded single to right-center field with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to drive in the winning run as the host Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's fastpitch softball team shaded the visiting Fullerton College (FC) Hornets, 3-2, in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) contest Wednesday evening (Apr. 24) at Brown Field (Evans Sports Complex) in the regular season finale for both teams.
Riverside – the top-ranked team in Southern California (and tied for first in the state) – improved to 36-3 with the win, its third consecutive win, and 28th in its last 30 games. RCC completed the regular season undefeated at home (15-0). The Tigers finished OEC play at 18-3 and tied for first place with the Cypress College Chargers (18-3 in OEC, 33-7 overall).
It was "nervous time" heading into the bottom of the sixth inning with Fullerton leading, 2-0.
In the fateful sixth, Brown, a sophomore 3B from Yucaipa (Yucaipa HS) hit a high chopping single into left field with one out. Sophomore 1B Katherine Macias (Riverside – Arlington HS / Yavapai CC – Prescott, AZ) followed with a towering fly ball to right-center field which hit the fence on one hop for a double, as Brown stopped at third. Brown scored on a groundout before sophomore RF Olivia Fimbres (Fontana / Summit HS / Colorado State U. – Pueblo) shot a ground ball just inside third base for a double to drive in Macias with the tying run.
In the seventh, a trio of walks, including an intentional base on balls to sophomore SS Natalie Barrios (Corona – Centennial HS) loaded the bases with one out to set the stage for Brown's heroics on a 3-1 pitch from FC starting RHP, freshman Alyssa Felipe (Fullerton / Troy HS). Felipe deserved a better fate. She was sailing along through five innings as only two Tigers had reached second base. Felipe received the loss (6-12). Brown went three for four with one run and one RBI to lead the Tigers.
Fullerton (11-29 overall, 5-16 in OEC, tied for sixth place) scored an unearned run in the first when freshman CF Alyssa Nava (Cerritos / Gahr HS) singled and was safe at second base on an infield throwing error. Nava went to third on an infield single by freshman RF Alexandria Avila (Cerritos / Cerritos HS) and scored on a groundout by sophomore 1B Nicole Chapman (Orange / Orange Lutheran HS). In the third, Chapman singled and scored on a wild pitch to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead. Avila went two for three to pace the Hornets.
Sophomore RHP Chelsea Ponce (Norwalk / San Bernardino – Cajon HS) went the distance for RCC and allowed both runs (one earned) on six hits (all singles) and two walks. She struck out eight and improved to 21-2.
Regional playoff seeds will be announced on Saturday, April 27. Riverside is expected to host a best two of three regional beginning on Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m.
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