Softball Snags Second Win in March, Defeats Southwestern

The Riverside City College softball team entered into non-conference play against the Southwestern College Jaguars on Monday evening in hopes of snagging their second win in the past three games. The Tigers barreled 12 hits with the top of the order going a combined 7-for-11 leading to a 6-3 win.

Freshman starting pitcher Erika Gibbs earned the start in the circle and got off to a strong start by retiring the first three batters she faced. However, she struggled in the following inning allowing Southwestern to score the first run of the game.

The Tigers responded in the top of the third inning with their first run of the game compliments of none other than sophomore second baseman Sarah Franco-Colis. With two outs in the inning, she barreled a single to center field allowing freshman third baseman Adrianna Montalvo to score.

Riverside followed with two more runs in the fourth inning as freshman left fielder Alyssa Carlisle sparking a mini rally by lacing a leadoff triple. Freshman first baseman Marina Montalvo followed two batters later by singling up the middle to plate Carlisle. The inning continued on with A. Montalvo singling through the left side, setting up an RBI opportunity for sophomore center fielder Sophia Franco-Colis. She came through with a single as well, allowing M. Montalvo to touch home.

Freshman reliever Chloe Lockhart entered in the bottom of the third inning and got off to a strong start. She mirrored Gibbs' opening frame by retiring the side which featured a punch out. She continued on to dominate the following inning by retiring the side in order as well.

The following two frames got a little messy as Southwestern was able to etch across a run in each inning, but a three spot from the Tigers in the top of the seventh inning was the final nail in the Jaguars' coffin.

Despite a quick out to begin the inning, the Tigers barreled three-consecutive singles to load the bases for M. Montalvo. Freshman right fielder Alexis Pelayo started the spree with a single to third base, backed by two knocks to left field from Carlisle and sophomore pinch hitter Alicia Fitzgerald.

M. Montalvo came through as she singled to center field. A. Montalvo followed a batter later with a RBI single to center field. Freshman center fielder Brooklyn Corns capped the inning by scoring freshman pinch runner Destinee Gonzalez on a ground out, eventually leading to a 6-3 triumph.

So. Franco-Colis went 3-for-4, while the Montalvo sisters each barreled two hits and combined for three RBI. Carlisle went 2-for-3 and scored twice to go along with the lone extra base hit of the day acting as a triple.

Lockhart (5-5) earned the victory after chucking five innings and recording one strikeout. Gibbs tossed two innings and allowed just one run off one hit.