Baseball Bangs Out 16 Runs, Routs Barstow

The Riverside City College baseball team went to work on Thursday afternoon as they faced off against the Barstow College Vikings in non-conference action. The Tigers plated nine runs in the first frame to set the tone and never looked back. They finished them off by the final result of 16-4 after barreling 14 hits. 

Riverside wasted no time as a nine-run first inning put the game out of reach for the Vikings. The Tigers batted around with 13 batters stepping in the box. The first run came the way of a bases loaded walk drawn by freshman first baseman Andrew Rodriguez, scoring freshman shortstop Robert Phelps who reached on an error by the shortstop. Sophomore right fielder Matthew Bardowell followed by dropping a single into left field to send sophomore center fielder Casey Murray Jr. and freshman second baseman Bryce Cermenelli trotting home.

After sophomore catcher Rei Shobuya was issued a free pass a batter later, freshman designated hitter Dominic Dominguez was hit by a pitch to score Rodriguez. Freshman left fielder Derek Hurtado followed with a two-RBI single through the right side to score Shobuya and Bardowell.

Phelps added to the melee with a deep, three-RBI triple to left center field. Cermenelli capped the inning with his second base knock of the frame, scoring Phelps to hand Riverside a 9-0 advantage.

Sophomore starting pitcher David Butler toed the slab for his second start of the season and got off to a strong start by striking out the side in order. He forced a double play the following inning after allowing a leadoff single, backed by two more punch outs in the third inning. He went on to strike out one more batter in the fourth inning after tossing five innings. He allowed two runs on five hits.

Butler handed the pearl to freshman reliever Matt Hudson in the sixth inning for his collegiate debut. He did not disappoint. He closed out the game by chucking four innings and striking out five batters. He allowed just two runs on two hits.

Riverside scored in all but three innings. Bardowell broke out of his slump by going 4-for-5 highlighted by a solo, opposite field nuke in the sixth inning. He finished with a four RBI and three runs scored.

Cermenelli went 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored, while Shobuya, Phelps and Hurtado each squared up two hits.