Softball Grabs First Conference Win

The Riverside City College softball squad entered into an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) showdown against the Golden West College Rustlers searching for their first conference win. After dropping 10 of their last 11 games, the Tigers produced one of their better showings this season behind strong pitching, great defensive and clutch hitting leading to a 4-1 victory.

The Tigers saw production from up and down the lineup with all but one player recording at least one hit. Freshman third baseman Jazlyn Dean carried the bulk of the load by going 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.

After the Rustlers etched the opening run on the board in the top of the first inning, Riverside responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame. The first came from Dean who connected for an RBI double down the left field line, plating freshman right fielder Mia Gomez. Freshman first baseman Catherine Martinez followed with a two-out RBI single to take a 2-1 lead after the first inning.

Sophomore starter Marissa Lena-Nares rebounded after allowing a first inning run and settled in nicely. She responded by blanking the Rustlers through the ensuing six innings. She retired eight consecutive batters before issuing a free pass in the bottom of the fourth. She promptly responded by recording a ground ball out on the next batter.

Riverside tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. After sophomore center fielder Samantha Peluffo led off the inning with a double, Dean sent her home two batters later with her second RBI two-bagger of the night. Sophomore catcher Zinaida Preciado backed her with her first-career triple, plating Dean, to snag a 4-1 advantage.

Despite the comfortable lead, the Tigers found themselves in treacherous waters by allowing Golden West to load the bases with nobody out in the top of the sixth inning. Nevertheless, Lena-Nares forced Golden West's Swarts to ground into a 5-2-3 double play. She then wiggled out of a second and third jam with a ground out aiding the win.

Lena-Nares (4-4) tossed a complete game while recording five strikeouts. Dean lead the Tigers at the dish with a 2-for-3 night that saw a pair of doubles, RBI and runs scored, while freshman designated player Elena Perez and Peluffo barreled two this.

Riverside (5-11, 1-3 OEC) will continue action on Saturday, February 29 on the road against the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs at 1:30 p.m.