Santa Ana Shuts-out host Riverside City, 8-0, in Six Innings Friday

RIVERSIDE -- The Santa Ana College (SAC) Dons scored early and often and cruised to an 8-0 Orange Empire Conference (OEC) victory over the host Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's softball team Friday (Apr. 17) afternoon at Brown Field (Evans Sports Complex).

Santa Ana (23-12 overall, 15-4 OEC/second place) scored twice in the first and third innings and then rolled a "four spot" (one earned run) in the top of the sixth inning for the 8-0 lead and put the mercy rule (eight-run margin after five innings) into effect entering the bottom of the sixth.

Riverside (11-26 overall, 5-14 OEC) had two hits in the bottom of the frame -- singles by sophomore SS Jessica Valenzuela and frosh catcher Hunter LaCroix (Norco / Norco HS) -- but couldn't push across a rujn to stave off an early finish.

RCC also had back-to-back singles to open the third inning by sophomore CF Michelle Paul and frosh 1B Jordan Emanuele (Norco / Norco HS / UC Riverside), but Paul was thrown out (5-7) trying to advance to third when the SAC left-fielder Tori Ferguson went to cover third base and tagged out Paul to squelch the threat.

Sophomore catcher Annie Dowling doubled home one run in the first and a second runner scored when an errant relay throw back to the infield skipped away. Dowling also doubled in the fifth inning. In between, she was hit by a pitch in the third inning to conclude an 11-pitch at bat.

Santa Ana starting RHP Victoria "Tori" Franks went the distance (six innings; 88 pitches, 56 strikes) and scattered the four RCC singles, walked four and struck out five to improve to 23-10. It was her 23rd complete game of the season.

RCC sophomore starting RHP Alexis Holman (Riverside / John W. North HS) also went six innings. Holman allowed nine hits, eight runs (four earned), three walks and struck out none. Because of an injury to Kaylie Garcia in last Wednesday's 8-6 win at Orange Coast, Holman was listed in the batting order for the first time this season and finished zero for one at the place as she put down a sacrifice bunt in the second and struck out looking in the fourth.

Both teams continue OEC action on Monday, Apr. 20. SAC visits the Fullerton College Hornets at 3 p.m. and RCC will host the Golden West College Rustlers at 6 p.m. in the penultimate regular season games for both clubs.

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