Tigers Trim Irvine Valley, 3-2

Tigers Trim Irvine Valley, 3-2

RIVERSIDE -- Breaking a tie with an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers edged the visiting Irvine Valley College (IVC) Lasers, 3-2, Friday afternoon (Apr. 11) in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) game at Evans Sports Complex.
 
Riverside City (17-15, 11-8 OEC) scored single runs in the first and second innings for a quick 2-0 lead. An infield error on a potential double play allowed Paul Martinez to race home with the go-ahead run.
 
Irvine Valley (8-23, 4-15 OEC) tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh inning when frshman CF Brett Hamilton (Tesoro HS) socked a 0-2 pitch for a two-out, two-run single off the glove of 1B Martinez.
 
RCC freshman relief LHP Austin Sodders (Moreno Valley / Canyon Springs HS) pitched the final two innings to improve to 3-0.
 
IVC sophomore starting RHP Jesus Meza (Tustin HS) went the distance (eight innings for him) and allowed only one earned run on seven hits and four walks as his record fell to 1-7.
During Spring Recess next week both teams will play non-conference games. IVC will play the Pasadena City College Lancers on Tuesday, Apr. 15, before RCC hosts the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Apr. 16, at 5 p.m.
 
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