Offensive Outbursts Lead Tigers to Victory over Saddleback

It is an understatement to say that the Riverside City College softball team has been on an absolute tear. The Tigers entered into an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) contest against the Saddleback College Gauchos on a six-game winning streak and vying for a playoff spot. Riverside pushed their streak to seven-consecutive victories with a 10-3 routing over the Gauchos.

In the last seven games, the Tigers have outscored their opponents 75-26. They have scored more than 10 runs in six of their seven wins including a trio of mercy rule victories. Riverside has seen success from multiple areas of their team, but the offensive prowess has provided the streak with a strong set of legs.

In today's victory, the Tigers barreled 14 hits with four of them going for extra bases. The middle of the lineup did most of the damage as the likes of sophomore second baseman Breanna Ceballos, freshman catcher Zinaida Preciado and sophomore first baseman Jocelyn Ontiveros went a combined 7-for-10 with five runs scored and six RBI. 

Ontiveros blasted a three-run jack for her fourth round-tripper of the season coming in the top of the sixth inning to cap a 2-for-4 day with two run scored and four RBI. Preciado was a flawless 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Ceballos barreled a pair of base knocks, one going as a double, leading to a pair of runs scored. 

Freshman center fielder Samantha Peluffo recorded a strong day by clocking in a 2-for-4 day with a double, walk, RBI and two runs.

Sophomore hurler Lorena Fitch earned her team-best 10^th victory of the season after tossing five innings while allowing just one run off two hits. She has earned three of the victories throughout this streak.

Riverside (19-11, 7-7 OEC) moved into fourth place in conference and will work to ride the elevator in the standings by hosting Fullerton College on Friday, April 5 at 2 p.m. the will then play Allan Hancock at 4:30 p.m.