Santa Ana Shuts Out Riverside, 2-0, Friday; Tigers Host Saddleback Saturday, Apr. 22, in OEC Makeup Game

RIVERSIDE -- The visiting Santa Ana College (SAC) Dons pushed across a pair of runs in the top of the second inning and made them stand for a 2-0 Orange Empire Conference (OEC) win over the host Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers softball team Friday afternoon (Apr. 21) at Brown Field (Samuel C. Evans Park).

Santa Ana (22-15 overall, 10-9 OEC, third place) scored on a pair of fielder's choices to account for the scoring. Liana Castro walked to lead off the second and scored on a comebacker when she slid under the tag of RCC catcher Aeriel Carlson (highland - Citrus Valley HS), who was straddling home plate.  The Dons' second run came when Jordan Ladner scored on a force out at second base.

Riverside City (18-18 overall, 8-10 OEC) actually outhit the Dons, 5-3. The Tigers left the bases loaded in their half of the second inning.

Celeste Hernandez, who was swapped from the designated player role before the game began, went the distance for Santa Ana. She scattered five hits, walked none and struck out nine to improve to 4-2. RCC sophomore starting LHP Emily Wilcox (Alta Loma - Alta Loma HS) -- who is pictured -- also went 7.0 innings and allowed the two runs (earned) on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts as her record fell to 3-5.

Additionally, Wilcox retired the side on three pitches in the fourth (three ground outs) and on six pitches in the fifth (three ground outs). Wilcox also retired the first two Dons on ground outs in the sixth inning (for eight consecutive ground outs) before allowing a single to opposing pitcher Hernandez, who went two for three to pace the Dons.

Next, the Tigers will host the Saddleback College Gauchos on Saturday, Apr. 22, in a OEC makeup game at 10 a.m. Santa Ana will next play on Monday, Apr. 24, when it visits the Golden West College Rustlers in a 3 p.m. OEC start.

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