Nava Hits Grand Slam as Tigers Push Past Golden West

It was an offensive melee for the Riverside City College softball team on Wednesday afternoon as the Tigers hosted the Golden West College Rustlers in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) action. It was all business for Riverside in every facet of the game as they barreled 10 hits, plated 15 runs, and allowed just two hits en route to a 15-0 victory via mercy rule.

Sophomore starting pitcher Synphony Hall (Rialto, CA) entered the circle for the start and was lights out. She retired the side in two of the three innings pitched. She allowed one hit to the first batter she faced, but immediately followed by forcing a double play ball.

Strong pitching led to dominant offense as the Tigers etched consecutive seven-run innings to kick off the contest. Sophomore third baseman Terri Nava (Yucca Valley, CA) and sophomore left fielder Dayna Gutierrez (Hemet, CA) kicked the inning off with consecutive walks, while sophomore designated player Aeriel Carlson (Highland, CA) backed them with a base hit through the left side to juice the bases.

Sophomore second baseman Breanna Ceballos (Ontario, CA) cashed in with a bases-loaded walk. Sophomore shortstop Kailee Gilbert (Moreno Valley, CA) continued the scoring trend by squaring up a bases-clearing double in the right-center gap. She later came around to score on an error to highlight the seven run outburst.

The scoring train continued to chug for Riverside the following inning as they matched their opening frame runs total. Gilbert launched a sacrifice fly, scoring freshman first baseman Jocelyn Ontiveros (Riverside, CA), to begin the inning. Sophomore catcher Diana Ramirez (Moreno Valley, CA) connected for a single to left field, plating Ceballos.

After sophomore right fielder Kayla Giannatasio (Corona, CA) and sophomore center fielder Megan Cartwright (Corona, CA) reached base via walk and base hit, respectfully, to loaded the bases, Nava came up and launched a grand slam to dead center field. Carlson followed with a solo jack, thus leading to the victory.

Hall earned her 13^th win of the year, while sophomore reliever Adriana Ramirez (Moreno Valley, CA) pitched a flawless inning out of the bullpen.

Gilbert went 2-for-2 with four RBI and two runs scored, while Nava and Carlson went deep. Carlson continues to pace the state in round trippers with 15. 

The Tigers (22-9, 9-5 OEC) will continue conference action on Friday night as they host the Fullerton College Hornets at home at 6 p.m.