Baseball Completes Sweep Over Orange Coast

The Riverside City College baseball team was on the hunt for its second-consecutive series sweep as they hosted the Orange Coast College Pirates in the final game of a three-game series on Friday afternoon. Early offense and a strong performance from sophomore starting pitcher David Butler was too much for the Pirates to handle as the Tigers cruised to a 6-3 win.

Riverside bagged their 12^th straight victory as they continue to prove to be the sturdiest team in the state. Butler toed the slab for his second conference start of the season and did not disappoint.

With the exception of a three-run top of the fourth inning, he was untouchable. He began his outing by fanning the opening batter and retired the side. He allowed his first base runner of the game on his own error, but continued to retire the next three batters; two via punch out. Furthermore, he forced an inning ending double play in the top of the third inning to remain unscathed.

The Tiger offense was clicking from the get go as they plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman designated hitter Dominic Dominguez earned the start an immediately made an impact by driving in the fist run of the game on an RBI single to right center, platin sophomore center fielder Casey Murray Jr. who reached on a single. Sophomore shortstop Sebastian Flores and Dominguez later scored on an dropped fly ball by the Pirates' left fielder to hand Riverside a 3-0 lead.

Two more runs came around for Riverside the following inning compliments of a two-out triple from sophomore left fielder Adrian Arechiga. Freshman catcher Anthony Gibbons and freshman right fielder Derek Hurtado reached base on a hit by pitch and a walk, respectively, and came around to score on the three bagger.

Butler continued to dice up the Orange Coast offense and retired 12 in a row after the Tiger's fourth-inning woes. He forced five ground outs and fanned three batters in eight innings of action.

Sophomore closer Albert Roblez entered into the bottom of the ninth and found himself in a bit of trouble after allowing a leadoff double and walking the third batter of the inning. Nevertheless, Gibbons helped him out by throwing out a potential baserunner at third base. He forced an inning ending lineout to right field leading to a 6-3 win.

Dominguez had a day by going 3-for-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore first baseman Bryce Cermenelli barreled two this and drove in a RBI, while Arechiga went 1-for-4 with two RBI.

Butler (4-1) was phenomenal going eight strong and striking out eight batters. His later innings were dominant by retiring the last 12 batters he faced. In his last two outings, he tossed 15 innings fanned 17 hitters.

Roblez (Sv, 2) earned his second consecutive save in one inning of action.