Western Nevada Takes Opener of Three-game Series, 5-4, over Tigers

RIVERSIDE --  Leaving the potential tying and winning runs on base in the bottom of the ninth, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers men's baseball team lost, 5-4, to the visiting Western Nevada College (WNC) Wildcats in the opening game of a three-game series Thursday night (Feb. 13) at the Evans Sports Complex.

Western Nevada (6-3), based in Carson City, led, 1-0, 2-1, 4-1, 4-2, and 5-2 before the Tigers clawed to within 5-4 with a run in the sixth and ninth innings.

Riverside (4-4) pulled to within 5-4 when pinch hitter Garrett Dean (Alta Loma / Alta Loma HS) singled with one out in the ninth and scored on a two-out, line-drive single to right field by freshman CF Logan Griffin (Apple Valley / Oak Hills HS). Freshman 1B Kyle Callahan (Oak Hills / Oak Hills HS) drew a walk on four pitches to set the stage for sophomore 2B Nick Bruno (Hemet / Hemet HS) who worked the count to 3-2 before striking out to end the game on a ten-pitch at bat. Griffin had three hits in four at bats with two RBI to pace the Tigers.

WNC freshman 3B Kody Reynolds, had two hits, including a double, to lead the Wildcats.

Freshman starting RHP Max Karnos (Anchorage, AK) wentthe first 7.0 innings for WNC and allowed eight hits, three runs (two earned), one walk and struck out four to improve to 2-0. Sophomore relief RHP Spencer Greer (Woodinville, WA) hurled the final two frames to eke out his first save.

RCC starting freshman RHP Tyler Rowe (Rancho Cucamonga / Los Osos HS) went the first 4.0 innings  and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts to see his record fall to 1-2.

Game two of the three-game series will be on Friday, Feb. 14, at 4 p.m. with the series finale scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m.

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