Riverside Reigns Supreme in Mercy Rule Win over Crosstown Competition

It was an offensive melee for the second-straight night as the Riverside City College softball team hosted the winless San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines in non-conference action. The Tigers welcomed the Wolverines with a hardy dose of offense and a dominant pitching performance en route to a 9-0 mercy rule victory.

It was a slow start for the Tigers due in part to sloppy baserunning, but they were able to score one run each in the opening two frames. Sophomore third baseman Danielle Lopez kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the first inning as she plated freshman center fielder Samantha Peluffo with an RBI single down the left field line. Freshman right fielder Loreal Fuerte followed in the bottom of the second inning with a bunt single down the third base line forcing home freshman catcher Alicia Rivera to snag an early 2-0 lead.

Sophomore pitcher Brianna Arroyo was granted the start and was dominant in every way. She commanded the strike zone leading to three strikeouts and allowing a mere base knock.

Riverside busted the game wide open in the bottom of the fourth inning by etching a seven spot on the scoreboard. After the Tigers loaded the bases, sophomore shortstop Karter Williams kicked off the offensive commotion with an RBI single up the middle. Lopez followed with an RBI to left center field, backed by a loud, two-RBI double to left-center off the bat of freshman designated player Maryjane Davila. Rivera capped the inning by barreling a three-run homerun that left the yard in a heartbeat thus leading to a 9-0 victory in five innings.

Each batter recorded at least one hit for Riverside with Lopez pacing the offense. She went 2-for-3 with a single, three-run home run and two RBI. Davila barreled a pair of doubles, while Rivera touched home twice.

Arroyo earned the victory after allowing just one hit and fanning three batters in four innings of action. Freshman reliever Marissa-Lena Nares came in and slammed the door by tossing one frame and fanning two batters.

Riverside (2-0) will action on Friday, February 1 as they will host the East Los Angeles College at 3 p.m. followed by a contest against Sacramento City College at 8 p.m. Follow live stats at www.rccatheltics.com.