Baseball Sweeps Cypress, Places Second in Conference

The Riverside City College baseball team hosted the Cypress College Chargers in the third game of a three game series in the final Orange Empire Conference (OEC) showdown of the year. After both teams scored one run each through the first six frames, Riverside poured on 10 runs in the final two frames leading to a commanding 11-3 triumph.

After a throwing error plated the Tigers first run in the bottom of the sixth inning, they followed by scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh to distance themselves from the Chargers.

Freshman center fielder Nathan Aldaz led the inning off with a double down the left field line and promptly swiped third base. He came home to score on a towering double down the right field line compliments of freshman third baseman Ramsses Fierro. Two batters later, freshman right fielder Casey Murray launched a deep three-RBI double into the left center gap to put Riverside up 5-3.

A six-run bottom of the eighth was the final nail in the Cypress coffin. The melee started with a wild pitch, scoring freshman second baseman Beau Betten. The flood gates opened from there as Riverside took advantage of a weak Charger bullpen. Aldaz continued to act as a magnet to the dish by scoring on a wild pitch, while freshman shortstop Darius Price followed with a double to left center field to score freshman designated hitter Jacob Meijia.

Freshman first baseman Jordan Ruiz backed him with a single through the left side to score Price. Ruiz later came around to score on the second wild pitch of the inning. Riverside sealed the inning with a bases-loaded walk drawn by Aldaz leading to the win.

It was a staff day for the Tigers as freshman Hayden Coon took to the mound and tossed four strong innings. He recorded a team-high three strikeouts while allowing just one run and one hit.

Freshman reliever Philip Ledesma (1-0) earned the victory after tossing 1.1 innings. Freshman Luis Sakemi Sato slammed the door by tossing the final 1.2 innings leading to two strikeouts.

The sweep landed Riverside in second place in conference and will receive a bid to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern Regional Playoffs.

Riverside finishes the regular season with an overall record of 27-11 with a conference record of 15-6.