Fullerton Comes From Behind to Shade Tigers, 7-6, in 11 Innings

RIVERSIDE -- Letting a lead slip away in the top of the ninth inning, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers men's baseball team eventually lost, 7-6, in 11 innings to the visiting Fullerton College (FC) Hornets in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) game Saturday afternoon (March 8) at the Evans Sports Complex.

It was the Tigers' fourth game (and first loss) of the week -- all at home.

Riverside (9-9, 3-2 OEC) was victimized by a familiar face as former Tiger and current FC sophomore RF K.C. Huth (La Verne / Bonita HS) drove in the go-ahead run in the 11th to give the Hornets the 7-6 lead. Huth went three for four on the day with two doubles and three RBI.

Fullerton (13-5, 3-2 OEC) was led by sophomore CF Dakota Wix (Fullerton), batting in the lead-off spot, went four for six with three runs and one RBI.

The Tigers took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth. With runners at the corners and one out, RCC sophomore SS Nick King (Palm Springs / Palm Springs HS) was walked intentionally with first base occupied to load the bases. Freshman 1B Kyle Callahan (Oak Hills / Oak Hills HS) drew a walk with a full count to send home freshman CF David Robles (San Bernardino / Rialto HS) with the go-ahead score. Callahan had two RBI and Robles was two for four to lead Riverside.

Hornet sophomore relief RHP Austin Sweet (Huntington Beach) pitched the ninth and tenth and started the eleventh before being relieved by freshman LHP Nate Green (Anaheim). Sweet picked up the win (2-1) and Green notched his first save. RCC freshman relief RHP Nate Hynes (San Dimas / Covina HS) pitched the last three innings to get the loss (1-2).

Both teams return to action on Tuesday, Mar. 11, at 2 p.m. when Fullerton visits the Orange Coast College Pirates and Riverside hosts the Irvine Valley College Lasers.

-30-