Murray Jr. Hits for the Cycle in Win Over Golden West

Sophomore center fielder Casey Murray Jr. led the offensive charge on Thursday afternoon as the Riverside City College baseball team hit the road to face off against the Golden West College Rustlers in the second game of a three-game series. After holding a mere one-run lead entering into the top of the ninth, Riverside etched a seven-spot leading to a commanding 17-9 victory.

Murray Jr. highlighted the offensive charge by hitting for the cycle for the first time in his career. He finished the game going 4-for-5 with a season high five RBI and four runs scored. Furthermore, three of his four hits produced at least one RBI.

His first knock came in the top of the first inning as he launched a pitched over the left field wall for a solo shot. He continued on two innings later by barreling a single to left field. He would come around to score a batter later compliments of a two-run, RBI triple from sophomore designated hitter Matthew Bardowell.

Murray Jr. continued on by drawing a walk in the top of the sixth inning, followed by barreling a triple to right center field in the top of the eighth inning to score freshman second baseman Robert Phelps. He was a double shy of the cycle leading into the top of the ninth inning, but came in clutch by not only completing his cycle, but by adding three more runs in a game that the Tigers only lead by one run.

In a 10-9 ball game, Murray Jr. stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and laced a two-bagger to left center to score Phelps, sophomore left fielder Nathan Aldaz and sophomore catcher Rei Shobuya.

Riverside's seven run ninth inning was the final nail in the Golden West coffin which was sparked by Murray Jr.'s three-run double. Bardowell followed by drawing a walk to extend the inning, backed by a two-RBI double from sophomore shortstop Sebastian Flores.

The melee continued as freshman left fielder Derek Hurtado stepped up and drove a triple down the right field line to score Flores, while freshman third baseman Jerrad Gonzalez sealed the deal with an RBI single to right field, scoring Hurtado, leading to a 17-9 win.

The Tiger's pitching performance was below average, but the back end of the bullpen was the highlight of the staff. Freshman Dakota Gray (1-0) earned the win after entering in the fifth inning and tossing and inning and two-thirds. He fanned two batters in the process.

Sophomore Rheego McIntosh threw in back-to-back games and was very effective as seen in just over an inning of work while striking out two batters. He gave way to freshman reliever Carson Summerfield who locked down the last two outs in the ninth and struck out one batter.

Murray Jr.'s cycle highlighted the offense, while Gonzalez went 4-for-6 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The first five batters in the Riverside lineup accounted for 14 of the 17 RBI in the game. Phelps went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Flores inked a 3-for-6 day with two RBI and a run scored.