Tigers Get 15 hits and Outlast Cypress, 9-5, Thanks to Six-run Fifth Inning

RIVERSIDE -- In a key Orange Empire Conference matchup, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's fastpitch softball game came from behind in a big way with a six-run fifth inning to outlast the visiting Cypress College Chargers, 9-5, Friday afternoon (March 7) at Brown Field (Evans Sports Complex).

Riverside (14-4, 6-1 OEC) led, 1-0, after the first frame, but then fell behind, 3-2, after 2-1/2 innings, thanks to a walk and a pair of wild pitches sandwiched around a sacrifice bunt.

But in the fateful fifth, the Tigers parlayed six hits and a walk into six runs to take the lead for good at 8-3. Frosh designated player Alex Salgado (Moreno Valley / Valley View HS) drilled a bases-loaded double to the right-field fence to chase home two runs and a 5-3 RCC lead. Up stepped sophomore CF Jamie Munoz (Riverside / Poly HS), who then smacked a two-run single down the right-field line for a 7-3 Tiger lead. Frosh 3B Breanna Valles (Riverside / Roosevelt HS) then rolled a RBI single up the middle to send home Munoz, who had advanced to second on the throw home during her hit.

Freshman C Selena Duran (Riverside / Arlington HS) paced the Tigers with a four-for-four day, including a double. The bottom third of the RCC order went a combined five for nine, with four RBI, three runs and two walks. Salgado, batting eighth, went three for four.

RCC freshman starting RHP MacKenzie Maxwell (Calimesa / Yucaipa HS) went the distance and allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks. She struck out four and improved to 7-1 after throwing 121 pitches, 76 for strikes. Cypress sophomore starting RHP Desiree Lopez (Santa Ana) went 5-2/3 innings and allowed nine runs (all earned) on 15 hits and three walks, with one strikeout. Her record fell to 6-5. 

Cypress (9-5, 3-3 OEC) was paced by sophomore 2B Kelsey Choate (Garden Grove) who went two for three with three RBI, including a two-run double down the right-field line in the sixth.

With the win, the Tigers will be idle until Wednesday, Mar. 12, when they host the Santiago Canyon College Hawks in a key OEC showdown. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

-30-