Riverside Rebounds with Game-Two Victory over Allan Hancock, Falls to Fullerton

After suffering a difficult loss to the Fullerton College Hornets in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) action, the Riverside City College softball team looked to rebound against the Allan Hancock Bulldogs in the second game of a Friday afternoon double header. It was a game that featured highflying offensive prowess, but it was the Tigers who out flexed the Bulldogs in an 11-6 victory.

Both teams were knotted at one apiece at the conclusion of the opening to frames in what seemed to be a brewing pitcher's dual. However, the Tiger's bat awoke to plate three runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Freshman shortstop Savanna Fowlkes kicked off the melee with an RBI double down the left field line, scoring freshman catcher Alicia Rivera. Sophomore designated player Karter Williams followed by depositing a two-run jack to dead center field, plating freshman left fielder Danielle Melendez. Sophomore Breanna Ceballos capped the inning with an RBI double to center field to score freshman Danielle Lopez leading to a 4-1 advantage.

Despite the early lead, the Bulldogs etched a five spot in the top of the fourth inning to put the Tigers down by two runs. Nevertheless, Riverside remained true to their approach and pounded home seven runs in response.

Freshman center fielder Samantha Peluffo kicked off the bottom of the fourth inning with a triple. Melendez followed with a quality at bat and laced an RBI single into center field to score Peluffo. Ceballos followed with a bases-loaded walk a handful of batter later, while sophomore first baseman Jocelyn Ontiveros followed with a three-RBI double to center field. Rivera put an exclamation mark on the inning by powering a two-run homerun to left-center field, scoring Ontiveros, leading to an 11-6 advantage and the victory.

Freshman starter Brianna Arroyo picked up her eighth victory despite struggling through her outing. She allowed six runs off six hits while striking out three. Freshman Marissa-Lena Nares chucked three quality innings of the bullpen leading to a pair of strikeouts.

Riverside (20-12, 7-8 OEC) will continue action on  Tuesday, April 9 at home against the Palomar College Comets at 2 p.m.