Baseball Takes Series with One-Run Game-Three Win

After failing to score a run in the opening game of a three game series against the Golden West College Rustlers, the Riverside City College baseball team went to work in game three by plating 10 runs off eight hits to even out the series at one game apiece. The rubber match ensued on Friday afternoon with the Rustlers grabbing the early advantage, but it was late-game offense that propelled the Tigers to a game-three win by the final score of 5-4.

It is the fourth-consecutive series the Tigers have won in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) action which puts them in second place behind first-place Saddleback. Additionally, they have won four of their last five games with two games being won by a mere run.

Golden West got off to a strong start by plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning. However, Riverside responded two frames later by scoring two runs in the top of the third inning. Freshman center fielder Julian Alvarez connected for a one out RBI double down the left field line, plating freshman catcher Daniel Briones. Freshman third baseman Ignacio Alvarez followed with a base knock to center field, scoring J. Alvarez, to tie the game at two all.

The Rustlers remained pesky by scoring in the bottom half of the third inning, but freshman reliever Chaz McWilliams had other plans. He entered in the third inning and allowed one hit in three innings of work.

Riverside added three more combined runs in the sixth and seventh innings starting with a RBI single to right center off the bat of freshman left fielder Casey Murray. A two-run blast from I. Alvarez highlighted the seventh inning offense as he launched his second round tripper of the year to give Riverside a 5-3 lead.

Freshman Hayden Coon, who entered in the game in the sixth inning, went the remainder of the way by allowing just one run in the bottom of the ninth en route to four strikeouts and the Tiger victory.

Coon (3-1) earned his third win in relief with McWIlliams holding the Rustlers to absolutely nothing.

Freshman right fielder Matthew Bardowell went 3-for-4 with a walk, while I. Alvarez went 2-for-5 highlighted by a two-run jack.

Freshman shortstop Sebastian Flores and Murray each barreled two hits each.