Pithing Performs, Offense Explodes as Tigers Take Game Two from Fullerton

It was a tight ball game entering into the latter half of the contest as the Riverside City College baseball team hosted the Fullerton College Hornets in the second game of a three-game series. The Tigers beared down to score five unanswered runs in the last three innings leading to a dominant 10-3 victory.

Freshman gunslinger David Butler took to the mound and put Riverside in a good position despite giving up three early runs. He retired the side in order in the top of the first, but allowed a combined three runs to score in the following two innings. He nearly forced an inning ending double play in the third inning, but the Tiger's shortstop misplayed the ball leading to two unearned runs. He rebounded by forcing a groundball out and striking out the final batter.

The Tigers responded in a big way coming in the bottom of the third inning by plating four runs. Freshman right fielder Matthew Bardowell connected for a double to left field, scoring freshman shortstop Sebastian Flores. Freshman catcher Maxwell Shor continued the inning by lofting a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring freshman third baseman Ignacio Alvarez. Freshman left fielder Casey Murray followed a batter later with a laser triple into the right center gap, backed by an RBI single from freshman designated hitter Adrian Arechiga to grab a 4-3 lead.

Butler went back out in the fourth and retired the side in order which featured another swinging punch out. He started the fifth inning, but was reliever by freshman flame thrower Chaz McWilliams who was nearly unhittable.

McWilliams tossed 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball. It was his longest outing of the season and allowed just four hits and recording three strikeouts.

The Tigers added a combined five insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

Shor pushed across the first run with his second sacrifice fly out to center field, scoring I. Alvarez. Bardowell, who reached base via walk, came around to score on a passed ball, while Arechiga backed him with his second RBI knock of the game.

Shor satyed hot the following inning by recording a single to right field to continue his RBI tear. Murray capped the scoring with his second RBI knock of the game coming via single to right center field leading to a 10-3 win.

Shor went 1-for-1, but recorded three RBI and drew two walks. Arechiga, Murray, Bardowell and I. Alvarez each barreled two base hits.

Butler (5-0) earned the win after tossing 5.2 frames and giving up one earned run.