Strong Starting Pitching Highlights Win over Grossmont

Sophomore starter Daniel Martinez (Riverside, CA) did not allow a hit until two outs in the fourth inning against the Grossmont College Griffins on Friday evening in the final game of a two-game series. His efforts set the tone for the Tigers in all facets en route to an 8-3 victory.

D. Martinez tossed a total of six innings and scattered just three hits and fanned five batters. He threw under 80 pitches while throwing over 60 percent strikes. His location was on point and he changed speeds effectively to keep the Griffins off balanced to record a nearly even amount of outs on the ground and in the air.

An explosive offense makes a pitcher's job much easier and the Tigers provided D. Martinez with that liberty. Luckily for D. Martinez, he was able to help himself out as he found himself at the dish with runners in scoring position in the bottom of the first inning.

He came through with the first knock of the game that went for an RBI single through the right side to score freshman center fielder Junior Coleman (San Diego, CA). After sophomore shortstop Shane Martinez (Riverside, CA) came across to score on a double play ball, sophomore left fielder Erick Rayford (Chino Hills, CA) capped the inning with a single to center field to score freshman right fielder Dylan Kanoho (Honolulu, HI) to snag a 3-0 advantage.

After scoring the first run for the Tigers, Coleman put on his RBI hat and connected for a single up the middle to score sophomore first baseman Diego Guerrero (Maracaibo, Venezuela). Sophomore third baseman Jacob Barham (Long Beach, CA) followed a handful of batters later with a single down the left-field line to score Coleman. D. Martinez later scurried home on a pass ball to push Riverside's lead to 6-0.

RCC added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning when freshman left fielder Joseph Hodapp (Murrieta, CA), who entered as a defensive replacement the inning prior, laced a single down the left-field line to score Kanoho. Guerrero pushed Hodapp across with a single to left field a batter later.

Despite Grossmont plating three runs in the final three innings, the Tigers held on to an 8-3 win.

D. Martinez (1-1) was masterful on the mound as he earned the win. Freshman reliever Chase Swenson (Menifee, CA) had the most success out of the bullpen by throwing 1.1 innings and recording two strikeouts and not allowing a hit.

Guerrero went a solid 3-for-4 at the dish marking his second-straight game he has recorded a three-hit line. He drove in a run and scored a run.

The Tigers (4-1) will return to action on Tuesday, February 6^th in a contest against West Los Angeles College at 2 p.m.