Santa Ana "Walks" Over Riverside, 9-2, in Orange Empire Conferfence Action Thursday

RIVERSIDE -- The Santa Ana College (SAC) Dons took advantage of 11 walks and went on to a 9-2 Orange Empire Conference (OEC) win over the host Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's softball team Thursday afternoon (Feb. 26) at Brown Field (Evans Sports Complex.

Santa Ana (6-8 overall, 3-1 OEC) took a 1-0 in the top of the first inning when Emily Whitecavage singled, stole second and third, and then was credited with a steal of home on a delayed attempted double steal when the runner retreated to first base.

The Dons parlayed five walks in the third into two runs (without any hits) to up their advanatge to 3-0.

Riverside (5-6 overall, 2-3 OEC) closed to within 3-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore CF Michelle Paul (Norco / Norco HS) singled through the right side. Sophomore RF Stephanie Gutierrez (Riverside / M.L. King HS) was hit by a pitch to put Tigers at first and second. After a double steal, sophomore LF Malia Campbell (Moreno Valley / Canyon Springs HS) blooped a single just inside the right-field line to score both runners.

In the seventh, Santa Ana struck for six runs, thanks, in part, to a two-run double by RF Ashley DeHuff and a three-run home run by leadoff batter Whitecavage.

Starting RHP Victoria "Tori" Franks went the distance for the Dons to improve to 6-6. She pitched 7.0 innings and allowed five hits, two runs (both earned), walked four and struck out four. Franks made 119 pitches (70 for strikes).

For Riverside, RHP Magen Luna also went 7.0 innings, but struggled. Luna allowed eight hits, nine runs (all earned), 11 walks and struck out four. Luna made 179 pitches (103 for strikes).

Riverside will return to action this weekend when it participates in the Fresno City College Tournament with two games on Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1. with games at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on each day. (Opponents to be announced.) Santa Ana will host College of the Desert on Friday, Feb. 27, in a nonconference game at 1 p.m.

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