Softball Hands Santiago Canyon First Conference Loss

After earning their first Orange Empire Conference (OEC) victory early last week, the Riverside City College softball team looked to double up on Wednesday night in a conference showdown against the Santiago Canyon College Hawks. The Tigers came out swinging and plated nine runs on 14 hits leading to a 9-3 victory.

The Tigers have now defeated Santiago Canyon three out of their last four meetings. All games have been close, but this is the largest runs spread in the last four meetings between the two teams.

Riverside landed in double-digit hits for the ninth time this season with all but one starter connecting for a base hit. Furthermore, the Tigers scored in four of the six innings highlighted by a four spot in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead after tallying a run in the first and second inning. The first run was compliments of a throwing error by the Hawks, while the second run was driven in by freshman shortstop Natalie Del Monte. After sophomore second baseman Maryjane Davila barreled a one-out triple down the left field line, Del Monte set her trotting home with a base hit through the left side granting the Tigers a 2-0 advantage.

The Hawks made things interesting in the top of the third by taking a one-run lead after putting together a three-run inning, but the Tigers remained resilient and responded with a four spot in the bottom of the fourth.

Del Monte kicked off the rally with a leadoff single, backed by a bunt single by sophomore center fielder Samantha Peluffo. Freshman third baseman Jazlyn Dean followed by loading the bases up with one out via a dying bloop single in front of the second baseman.

Riverside followed by with three RBI at bats beginnings with freshman designated player Annabelle Salas tied the game up with a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Del Monte. Sophomore catcher Zinaida Preciado promptly followed with an RBI double to left field, backed by a two-RBI double from freshman first baseman Cathy Martinez. Preciado and Dean each scored on the play to hand Riverside a 6-3 lead.

The Tigers added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth inning. Freshman right fielder Mia Gomez connected for a RBI triple, while Dean squared up a RBI single thus leading to a 9-3 win.

Freshman starting pitcher Carrah Van Houten earned the nod in the circle and got off to a great start. She utilized strong command of the zone as she blanked the Hawks through two. She experienced a rough third inning and was lifted by sophomore Marissa Lena-Nares.

Nares came in and shoved it by not allowing a single hit and striking out three batters. She was nearly haunted by four walks, but she wiggled out of a self-brewed jam by forcing an inning-ending pop fly in the top of the sixth inning. Her efforts earned the victory in the circle.

Peluffo was a flawless 4-for-4 in the leadoff position by scoring three times and notching a two-bagger. Del Monte remained hot by going 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. She is 7-for-10 in the last three games.

Riverside (7-13, 2-3 OEC) will continue action on Friday, March 6 on the road against Saddleback College.