All Systems Go for Women’s Softball in Mercy Rule Win over Grossmont

The Riverside City College women's softball team hit the diamond for its second-straight game in as many days on Wednesday evening by hosting the Grossmont College Griffiths in non-conference action. After failing to plate a run in their opening season matchup, the Tigers exploded for 14 runs off 12 hits en route to a 14-1 victory over Grossmont in five innings.

The Tigers tossed up a pair of crooked numbers on the scoreboard highlighted by a seven-run bottom of the third inning. Sophomore third baseman Terri Nava (Yucca Valley, CA) sparked the scoring party by barreling a single to score sophomore center fielder Megan Cartwright (Corona, CA) who lead off the inning with a walk. On the same play, sophomore shortstop Kailee Gilbert (Moreno Valley, CA), who reach base via walk, came around to score on a throwing error by Grossmont's center fielder.

Sophomore catcher Aeriel Carlson (Highland, CA) muscled up a batter later and sent a ball soaring over the left-field wall for a two run homerun to keep the inning flowing.

The bats remained awake as freshman second baseman Breanna Ceballos (Ontario, CA) and freshman designated player Lorena Fitch (Corona, CA) each recorded base knocks. Sophomore right fielder Dayna Gutierrez (Hemet, CA) put the ball in play on an attempted drag bunt and forced an errant throw by the pitcher, scoring both Ceballos and Fitch. Gutierrez came around to score a batter later on a single off the bat of freshman right fielder Kayla Giannatasio (Corona, CA) leading to an 8-0 advantage.

The Tigers were not finished in the following fame by plating six runs in the bottom of the fourth. Riverside recorded three-straight RBI knocks early in the inning. Freshman first baseman Jocelyn Ontiveros (Riverside, CA) started the RBI train by smacking a double into the right-center field gap to score Nava. Ceballos followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Carlson, backed by a single from Fitch. Cartwright and Gilbert followed two at-bats later and pocketed RBI base knocks to snag a 14-0 lead.

Freshman pitcher Riley Peckels (Moreno Valley, CA) earned the start in the circle and performed very well. She blanked the Griffiths through the first three frames and capped off her outing with a scoreless fifth inning to secure a 14-1 win.

Peckels (1-0) earned the win in her first-career start after not allowing an earned run and fanning five batters.

All but one starter for the Tigers earned a base hit with Fitch, Giannatasio, and Cartwright barreling two each. Carlson finished on a 1-for-2 note with two runs scored, two RBI, and a two-run bomb. Giannatasio went 2-for-2 with a set of RBI.

The Tiger pitching staff has only allowed two runs in their opening two contests.

Riverside (1-1) will return to play on Saturday, February 3^rd to take on Sacramento City College and the College of the Canyons for a split doubleheader.