Softball Caps Season with Commanding Win in OEC Tournament

In the final game of the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Tournament and the season, the Riverside City College softball team hit the road to face off against the Golden West College Rustlers. All of their offense came in the first two innings highlighted by an eight spot in the top of the second en route to a 9-0 mercy rule victory.

A second-inning offensive melee stole the show with the Tigers sending home eight runs and never looking back. Freshman right fielder Alexis Pelayo got the ball rolling with an infield single to second base scoring freshman designated player Lea Aldana who reached via walk. Freshman shortstop Janelle Malone connected for a two-RBI double down the right field line two batters later, plating freshman catcher Julianna Garcia and Pelayo.  The gears continued to churn with an RBI single off the bat of freshman first baseman Alicia Fitzgerald, scoring freshman second baseman Sarah Franco-Colis, backed by a two-RBI double from freshman third baseman Cheyenne Becerra to plate Malone. Freshman shortstop Sophia Franco-Colis capped the inning with a two-RBI knock to center field, scoring Becerra and Fitzgerald, to take a 9-0 lead.

The inning prior, Fitzgerald launched her team-leading eighth home run of the year. She finishes conference action ranked third in the conference in home runs and two off the leader.

The Riverside offense was not the only strong suit. Sophomore starting pitcher Carrah Van Houten (2-17) waited until the final game of the season to put together her strongest outing by tossing a complete game shutout. She allowed a mere five hits and fanned one batter leading to her second win of the season and a 9-0 victory.

Riverside finishes the season with a 12-30 overall record which featured a 4-20 conference mark.