Tigers Top Orange Coast, 9-1, in Five-inning Home Game Wednesday

RIVERSIDE -- Four players had two hits apiece as the host Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers women's softball team topped the Orange Coast College (OCC) Pirates, 9-1, in an Orange Empire Conference game Wednesday (Feb. 22) at Brown Field (Samuel C. Evans Sports Complex).

Riverside City (4-4 overall, 2-0 OEC) also was the benefactor of five OCC errors as three RCC runs were unearned. RCC starting sophomore RHP Laura Mendez (Rialto - Carter HS '15) - who is pictured - capped a three-run first inning with a two-run single to help her cause and then doubled and scored in the third en route to a 6-1 lead. Mendez also scored twice as she went two for three. In the circle, she went the distance (5.0 innings) and scattered three hits, walked two and struck out three to improve to 3-2.

Also chipping in were frosh CF Megan Cartwright (Corona / Norco - Norco HS), who went two for four with two runs scored, sophomore 1B Emily Wilcox (Alta Loma HS), who went two for two, and frosh 3B A'loni Appleton (Rialto / Grand Terrace HS), who went two for two with one run scored and two RBI.

For Orange Coast (2-5 overall, 0-2 OEC), frosh RF Kaylin Etherridge had a RBI single in the top of the second inning to drive in sophomore DP Anna Marin, who walked to open the frame and went to second on a passed ball. Mendez avoided further damage when Appleton caught a line drive at third base and turned an unassisted double play to end the uprising.

Both teams continue OEC action on Friday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. when OCC faces Santa Ana College and RCC visits the Saddleback College Gauchos. 

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