Softball Routs Saddleback in Mercy Rule Victory

The rain held off for the remainder of the evening on Friday for the Riverside City College softball team to play host to the Saddleback College Gauchos in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) action. Under cold conditions, the Tigers turned on the heat leading to 10 runs off 12 hits thus hauling in a 10-2 victory via mercy rule.

After the Tiger allowed Saddleback to strike first in the top of the second inning, Riverside responded with a five-run bottom of the third. Freshman catcher Zinaida Preciado got the ball rolling with an RBI single up the middle to score freshman right fielder Danielle Melendez. Freshman shortstop Karter Williams, who reached base with a single through the left side, came around to score on a throwing error from the center fielder on the same play.

Sophomore designated player Alicia Rivera capped the inning by blasting a three-run jack to dead center, scoring sophomore first baseman Jocelyn Ontiveros and Preciado, to take a 5-1 advantage.

Riverside responded with another five spot in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ontiveros kepot the offensive melee chugging by punching a single to the pitcher, scoring Williams. Rivera struck again with a bloop-single down the right-field line, backed by a single from freshman left fielder Loreal Fuerte to plate Ontiveros.

Freshman center fielder Samantha Peluffo continued the hitting trend with a line drive shot to center field, scoring Rivera. Sophomore pinch hitter Anna Loreto sealed the deal an at-bat later by drawing a bases-loaded walk to haul in a 10-2 win.

Sophomore starting pitcher Lorena Fitch (6-2) earned the nod in the circle and tossed four inning. She allowed just two runs and fanned four batters to earn the win. Sophomore reliever Brianna Arroyo blanked the Gauchos in the fifth inning en route to one strikeout.

Rivera paced the offense by going 3-for-3 with a double, three-run homerun, four RBI and two runs scored. Williams followed with a 3-for-3 day with two runs scored.

Riverside (9-8, 2-4 OEC) will travel to Allan Hancock College on Saturday, March 9 for a non-conference contest at 12 p.m.