Tigers Take Two From Fresno, 13-4 & 11-3, Sunday in Non-conference Doubleheader

RIVERSIDE -- Posting a pair of run-rule ending non-conference games, the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers softball squad swept a non-conference doubleheader by the scores of 13-4 (six innings) & 11-3 (five innings) over the visiting Fresno City College (FCC) Rams Sunday afternoon (Apr. 9) at Brown Field (Samuel C. Evans Park).

Riverside (17-14 overall) spotted the visitors leads in the top of the first inning of each game, but bounced back for a pair come-from-behind victories.

In the opener, FCC led, 3-0, after the first half-inning, before the Tigers scored six runs in the third inning for a 6-3. RCC raked for four home runs, three by frosh 3B A'loni Appleton (Rialto / Grand Terrace HS), who socked a three-run shot in the third, a two-run blast in the fifth and a three-run round tripper in the sixth to end the game due to the (eight) run-rule. Frosh catcher Aeriel Carlson (Highland / Citrus Valley HS) also smacked a two-run home run in the fifth inning for her ninth round tripper of the season. For Appleton, she now has four circuit clouts on the season.

All told, Appleton -- who is pictured -- went three for four with three runs scored and EIGHT RBI in the opener.

RCC sophomore starting LHP Emily Wilcox (Alta Loma - Alta Loma HS) went the first 5.0 innings and allowed three runs (zero earned) on five hits and one walk. She struck out one as her record improved to 3-3. At the plate, Wilcox also went two for three with three runs scored.

For Fresno (17-17 overall), DP Karen Zamora had a two-run single.

In the nightcap, Fresno City scored in the top of the first when Zamora stroked a two-run home run for a quick 2-0 lead before RCC countered with two runs in each of the first three innings for a 6-2 lead. The Rams scored in the top of the fifth before the Tigers countered for five runs. Again, Appleton ended the game, this time with a RBI single. Frosh SS Kailee Gilbert (Moreno Valley - Canyon Springs HS) smacked a two-run home run down the left-field line, her first round tripper of the season in the fortunate fifth.

RCC sophomore starting RHP Laura Mendez (Rialto - Carter HS) went the distance (5.0 innings) and allowed three runs (earned) on four hits with zero walks and zero strikeouts to improve to to 11-9. FCC starting pitcher Maryah Soto went the first 2-1/3 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks for her first decision of the season (0-1).

Fresno City will return to action on Monday, Apr. 10, when it hosts Sacramento City in a non-conference double header. RCC will next play on Tuesday, Apr. 11, when it hosts the Palomar College Comets in a non-conference game beginning at 3 p.m.

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