36 hits and 26 Runs Later, Fullerton Outlasts Riverside, 15-11, Tuesday

RIVERSIDE -- In a game which featured a combined 26 runs and 36 hits, the visiting Fullerton College Hornets outlasted the host Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's softball team, 15-11, in an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) game Tuesday (Apr. 5) at Brown Field (Evans Sports Complex).

Fullerton (18-13 overall, 7-6 OEC) broke a 6-6 tie with four runs in the top of the third inning and was never headed again, although Riverside City (13-15 overall, 5-9 OEC) remained competitive and scored in every inning except the third.

But six RCC errors didn't help the Tigers' cause which led to the Hornets scoring 14 unearned runs. Regardless, Fullerton pounded out 16 hits, including a three-run home run by starting (and winning) RHP Brigid Ruiz in the second inning and a three-run home run by leadoff batter Becca Perez in the third inning. Ruiz went four for five with four RBI to pace Fullerton.

Of the Tigers' 20 hits, the second-highest hit total of the season, seven Tigers had at least two hits, led by starting frosh LHP Emily Wilcox, who went three for four with one run scored. Wilcox pitched the first 2.0 innings and left with the game tied at 6-6. Sophomore catcher Hunter LaCroix (Norco / Norco HS '14) socked her first home run of the season, a solo shot over the right-field fence in the fourth inning. For the record, RCC rapped out a season-high 21 hits in an 18-12 non-conference win over host Antelope Valley College (Feb. 16).

Ruiz went the first 5.0 innings and allowed ten runs (seven earned) on 16 hits and five walks and struck out two to improve to 18-11. Kylie Patrick pitched the final 2.0 innings. Frosh RHP Laura Mendez (Rialto / Wilmer Amina Carter HS '15) went the final 5.0 innings and allowed nine runs (one earned) on ten hits and two walks with one strike out to get the loss (7-9 overall).