Long Ball Lifts Riverside Past Saddleback, Sets Up Conference Title Game Friday

After facing an early four-run deficit, the Riverside City College baseball team was forced to fight back against the Saddleback College Bobcats in the second game of a three-game series on Thursday afternoon. The Tigers flexed in the box highlighted by two bombs and a gutsy bullpen performance leading to an 11-8 win.

Saddleback came out swinging by plating four runs through the first two frames to put the Tigers in a hole. However, a four spot in the bottom of the third inning refreshed the contest.

Consecutive singles from freshman duo Robert Phelps and Anthony Gibbons set up a RBI situation for the Tigers. Gibbons, who leads the teams with 15 stolen bases, took off for second and drew a throw from the catcher which allowed Phelps to trot home for Riverside's first run. Gibbons later came around to score on a two-out double from sophomore center fielder Casey Murray Jr. Sophomore right fielder Matthew Bardowell kept the inning rolling with a full count walk to send sophomore left fielder Adrian Arechiga to the dish. He came through with a two-RBI single to score Murray Jr. and Bardowell to tie the game at four all.

After Saddleback took the lead once again with a run in the top of the fourth inning, but another back-breaking four spot put the Tigers right back ahead.

Freshman third baseman Jerrad Gonzalez hammered a double to right center to lead the inning off and was moved over to third base on a sacrifice bunt from Phelps. Gonzalez later touched home on a sacrifice fly to right from Gibbons. Bardowell dug in two batters later and deposited a two-run jack to dead center to hand Riverside the lead. Arechiga followed with his second RBI knock to left field, this time going for two bases, scoring Murray Jr. and leading to an 8-5 lead.

After Saddleback scored another run in the following frame, sophomore reliever Albert Roblez entered the game and halted the Bobcat's offense.

He entered with two outs in the fourth inning and closed the frame by forcing a groundout to Gonzalez at third base. He continued on to strike out the side in the fifth inning. He allowed just one run in the sixth inning, but forced a lineout double play to wiggle out of a mini jam. His seventh inning was dominant as he retired the side in order highlighted by a pair of punchouts to close the frame.

Freshman first baseman Bryce Cermenelli added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning by blasting a two-run homerun for the first of his career following a single from Gibbons. Murray Jr. added another RBI single in the eighth inning, scoring Cermenelli, to put the Tigers comfortably in the driver's seat.

Saddleback threatened in the top of the ninth as they put runners on second and third with two outs, but Roblez retired the final batter of the inning via strikeout to bag an 11-8 win.

Roblez (2-1) tossed 5.1 innings while allowing just three runs, two earned, and fanning eight batters. Sophomore reliever Rheego McIntosh tossed two innings, while sophomore starter David Butler only lasted 1.2 innings.

"I am just trying to build consistency," said Roblez. "I am just trying to pound the zone. That is one of the biggest things that we are struggling with right now. We are trying to get back to that and get ready for playoffs."

Roblez started in the bullpen, transitioned to the third starter and was then placed back in the bullpen. The moved by Head Coach Rudy Arguelles and pitching coach Dave Martinez paid off.

"It felt good this summer. I was in a starter roll this summer and I was comfortable with that. Coming into this year, I knew I had to come out of the bullpen. I am just trying to stick to my role and be one of the guys they can go to out of the bullpen."

Riverside launched two round trippers compliments of Bardowell and Cermenelli. They went a combined 3-for-6 with four RBI and five runs scored.

"Leading up to that at bat I had a couple of strikeouts and they came on a fastball," said Bardowell when asked about his homerun. "Knowing that, I sold out on the plan and I didn't miss it."

Murray Jr. led the offense going 4-for-5 day with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. Gibbons went 3-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.

Riverside (28-10, 15-5) will complete the series against Saddleback (28-10, 14-5) tomorrow at 2 p.m. The winner will claim the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) title. If the Tigers win, it will be the first conference title in program history.

"Nothing is going to change heading into playoffs," said Bardowell. "I think the difference between today and previous days was our attitude and effort when our back is against the wall. We fought and we will continue to have to pull the same rope."