Riverside Runs Past Southwestern, 13-5, in Tigers' Home Opener Wednesday

RIVERSIDE -- Scoring in every inning but the second,the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's softball team opened the home portion of its 2016 campaign with a 13-5 nonconference win over the Southwestern College Jaguars Wednesday (Feb. 3) at Brown Field at the Evans Sports Complex.

The game ended with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning when RCC (1-1 overall) scored twice to lead by eight runs as the "mercy" rule was in effect.

The teams combined for 11 errors, six by RCC.

Leading, 2-1, after the first inning, the Tigers fell behind, 3-2, entering the bottom of the third inning before the hosts pushed across seven runs to take a commanding 9-3 lead. In that explosive frame, frosh shortstop Danielle Lopez (Redlands East Valley HS) socked a three-run home run to straight away center field for a then 5-3 RCC lead. Lopez went two for four with two runs scored and four RBI.

Frosh starting RHP Laura Mendez (Carter HS) -- who is pictured -- went the distance (5.0 ininngs) and allowed five runs (all unearned) on four hits and zero walks while striking out three to improve to 1-0. Mendez helped her own cause by hitting a two-run double in the third.

Jaguars starting RHP Marissa Cimmarusti (0-1) went the first 2.0 innings plus and allowed eight runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk.

For Southwestern (1-1 overall), SS Yasmine Jameson went two for three with two runs scored and one RBI and 2B Victoria Finau went two for three with two RBI.

RCC will return to action on Friday, Feb. 5, when it hosts the East Los Angeles College Huskies in a 2 p.m. first pitch.

-30-