Santa Ana Scores Early, Often in 10-5 Win Over Tigers

RIVERSIDE -- The Santa Ana College (SAC) Dons scored early and often en route to a 10-5 Orange Empire Conference (OEC) road win over the host Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers men's baseball team Tuesday afternoon (March 18) at the Evans Sports Complex.

Santa Ana (14-7, 5-3 OEC) scored three in the first inning, two in the second and four in the third for a quick 9-0 lead. RCC pulled to within 9-4 after six innings before each team tallied once in the seventh for the final score.

Freshman DH Troy Baird (Canyon HS) paced the Dons with three hits, including doubles in the first and ninth innings. He also walked and scored in the third, singled in the fourth, and flew out in the seventh. Freshman LF Nestor Linares (Segerstrom HS) went two for four with three RBI.

Riverside (10-11, 4-4 OEC) outhit Santa Ana, 14-13, but left the bases loaded in the second and third innings when another hit could've made things at least cosmetically closer. Sophomore RF/CF Josh Clark (Los Angeles / Hillcrest Christian HS) and freshman 3B Anthony Ayala (Fontana / Fontana HS) each had three hits for the Tigers.

RCC sophomore LHP Don Sullivan (Upland / Upland HS) lasted only two-plus innings before being lifted in the third. All told, Sullivan allowed eight runs (all earned) on eight hits with one walk and one hit batter as his record fell to 2-1. Freshman RHP Daniel Ferrell (Pacifica HS), who came on in relief of SAC starting sophomore RHP Tyler Sloan (Green Mountain, CO) after only 3-1/3 innings, picked up the win (2-1).

Both teams face other on Thursday, Mar. 20, to conclude the three-game OEC series. Game time at SAC's Don Sneddon Field is 2 p.m.

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