Tigers Score Early and Often in Lopsided Win

Written by Ayden Mason 

No. 12-ranked Riverside City College defeated Orange Coast College with a blowout 17-6 victory at home Friday afternoon to win the Orange Empire Conference series. 

The Tigers improve to 23-11 overall and 10-5 in the OEC, while the Pirates fall to 10-24 on the year, 4-11 in conference.

RCC scored seven runs in the second inning to get a huge lead early. Luke Medure (2-for-3), Bubba Heidler (1-for-4), and Parker Sobiesiak (3-for-4) each had two-RBI base hits, while Darin Osterloh (1-for-1) added an RBI walk with the bases loaded to give the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

The Pirates scored in their next chance at the plate, 7-1, but the Tigers weren't done yet.

In the bottom of the sixth, Sobiesiak hit another RBI single, before Osterloh scored on a throwing error from the catcher, 9-1.

OCC tried to keep things close and added two runs in the top of the sixth, 9-3, but RCC put together two big innings to all but seal the victory.

With two runners on and one out, Sobiesiak grabbed his third hit and fourth RBI of the game in to spark a five-run bottom of the ninth. Medure added two more RBIs with a sacrifice fly – after the Pirates' outfielder thought the inning was over and didn't throw the ball in – while Logan Clear (2-for-3) and Eddie Alfaro (1-for-6) each had RBI base hits to put the Tigers in front 14-3.

Orange Coast scored twice in the top of the eighth and once in the top of the ninth, but it was all Riverside would allow as the Tigers put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth.

Clear doubled to center to start the scoring spree before coming home on a Marcus Moyer (1-for-2) single. Malakai Lopez (1-for-2) followed with an RBI single to left field to cap the scoring for RCC.

Jake Valenzuela earned the win on the mound after throwing six innings and striking out four batters. 

The Tigers look to build on the two-game winning streak as they face Irvine Valley College at home on April 15 at 2 p.m.