Photo by Bobby R. Hester
Photo by Bobby R. Hester

Riverside Rides McDonald’s Complete Game in Victory over MSJC

The Riverside City College baseball team looked to push its win's total to double-digits on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference match up against the Mt. San Jacinto College Eagles at home. The Tigers put up seven runs and road a complete game gem from freshman right hander Brent McDonald (Murrieta, CA) en route to a 7-1 triumph.

McDonald was masterful in his performance as he tossed nine innings of strong baseball and blanked the Eagles through the first eight frames. McDonald threw just over 100 pitches and did so with efficiency. He relied on a strong slider and located his fastball very well leading to four strikeouts in his first-career start as a Tiger.

Offensively, the Tigers etched a four spot in the bottom of the first inning and did not look back. Freshman right fielder Joseph Hodapp (Murrieta, CA) kicked off the scoring trend by barreling a RBI single, scoring sophomore shortstop Shane Martinez (Riverside, CA) who reached base via walk. Hodapp later came around to score on a throwing error by the center fielder.

Sophomore second baseman Jacob Barham (Long Beach, CA) followed a handful of at-bats later with a bases-clearing double down the left field line to score sophomore third baseman Daniel Martinez (Riverside, CA) and sophomore designated hitter Andrew Jurado (Riverside, CA) to grab a 4-0 lead.

Freshman first baseman Dylan Kanoho (Honolulu, HI) added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning for the Tigers with a triple down the right-field line to score S. Martinez and sophomore catcher John McKee (Redlands, CA) leading to a 7-0 win.

Barham finished the day on a 2-for-3 note with two RBI, while S. Martinez scored two runs.

The Tigers (10-3) return to action on Wednesday, February 21st as they face off against L.A. Harbor at 2 p.m.