Brandon Ross Flirts with No-No in Win over LA Mission

The Riverside City College took a brief hiatus from conference play to host the Los Angeles Mission College Hawks on Tuesday afternoon. Riverside followed a series victory over Santa Ana College with a well-rounded win over the Hawks due in part to a dominant pitching performance from freshman starter Brandon Ross and a complete offensive attack.

Ross earned his second-consecutive victory in as many games and strung together one of his most dominant performances of his career. He was untouched through 5.1 innings as he carted a no-hitter through that span. He retired 12 consecutive batters to start his outing leading to six strikeouts. He punched out two batters in the first and second innings with a strong, tailing fastball and a sharp-breaking slider. He eventually allowed his first base runner in the top of the fifth inning via hit by pitch and then allowed his first hit to the second batter in the top of the sixth inning.

Riverside jumped on the board in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI two-bagger off the bat of sophomore right fielder Ulises Caballero. They continued on to score two more runs in the bottom of the third inning after sophomore shortstop Matt Happ drew a bases loaded hit by pitch, backed by Caballero coming across on a wild pitch.

The Tigers plated a game-high six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to seal the deal. The inning was highlighted by an RBI single from freshman catcher Angel Mendoza followed by an RBI double from freshman designated hitter Steve Ramirez. Sophomore left fielder Joseph Hodapp and freshman third baseman Matthew Ivancich sealed the deal with consecutive RBI singles leading to a 10-3 win.

Freshman reliever Drew D'Ambra chucked two innings in relief of Ross, but allowed three runs. Freshman reliever Marquise Johnson closed the game out by tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

Sophomore center fielder Junior Coleman led the team with a 2-for-4 day scoring twice, while Caballero recorded a double, drew two walks, drove in an RBI and scored once.

Riverside (27-9, 13-5 OEC) will play their final non-0cnference game on Thursday, April 18 at home against LA Pierce College. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.