Late Game Woes Haunt Softball

The Riverside City College softball team hit the road on Friday afternoon to take on the Santa Ana College Dons in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) action. Despite holding a lead entering into the seventh inning, the Tigers allowed two runs in the final frame leading to a 5-4 heartbreaking loss. 

Riverside struck first in the top of the third inning after sophomore right fielder Alexis Pelayo led the inning off with a free pass. She advanced to second base on a wild pitch and later came around to score on a sacrifice ground out from freshman first baseman Marina Montalvo.

The Dons etched their first run of the game in the bottom half, but the Tigers responded in the fourth inning with another run. Sophomore second baseman Sarah Franco-Colis reached base on a single to the shortstop and promptly advanced to second base on a two out single up the middle from freshman pitcher Chloe Lockhart. Sa. Franco-Colis came around to score a batter later on a single to right field from freshman shortstop Giuliana Danovaro to grab a 2-1 led.

Both teams continued to trade runs with Santa Ana tying the game up at two all with a run in the fifth inning, but Riverside responded with a run in the top of the sixth inning.

Freshman left fielder Alyssa Carlisle led the inning off with a two-bagger to left field, backed by a single down the right field line from Lockhart. This allowed Carlisle to score.

Nevertheless, Santa Ana plated a run in the bottom half of the sixth inning to tie the ball game for the third-consecutive inning.

Riverside stayed true to their approach and continued to produce the following frame. Sophomore center fielder Sophia Franco-Colis kicked off the inning with a one-out single, backed by a base knock from Sa. Franco-Colis. Carlisle followed with a hit to load the bases, setting up and RBI opportunity for Lockhart. She came through with another RBI via sacrifice ground out, handing Riverside a 4-3 lead.

However, Santa Ana had the final say by scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning leading to a 5-4 loss.

Four players recorded two hits with Lockhart leading the way. She went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while So. Franco-Colis, Sa. Franco-Colis and Carlisle each going 2-for-4 as well.

Freshman Erika Gibbs (0-5) was tabbed with the loss after chucking 2.2 innings and allowing two unearned runs. Lockhart tossed 3.2 innings while allowing three runs on five hits. Both of them walked four batters.