Late Game Hitting Pushes Tigers past Santa Barbara

It was another low scoring affair on Thursday afternoon as the Riverside City College softball team looked for their second-consectuive win as they hosted the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros. It was a dog fight as it came down to the final frame as Riverside scratched a run across in the bottom of the sixth inning leading to a win.

After the Vaqueros tied it up in the top of the fifth inning, the Tiger went back to work in the bottom of the sixth inning after being retired in order the following stanza. Sophomore catcher Alicia Rivera led the inning off by reaching on an error by the first baseman and was pinch ran for by freshman Lelani Rosales. Freshman shortstop Sophia Franco-Colis successfully moved her to second base with a sacrifice bunt, setting up an RBI opportunity for freshman second baseman Ahylie Rosales.

A. Rosales came through in the clutch with a single to right field, scoring L. Rosales, leading to a 3-2 win.

Freshman reliever Jazmine Lara, who entered in the top of the fifth inning, slammed the door in the top of the seventh inning by forcing three ground outs leading to the win.

The Tigers scored in the first and fourth innings. Freshman first baseman Alicia Fitzgerald sent freshman center fielder Tessah Black home with a single to left field to start the scoring. They added another go-ahead run three innings later with an RBI double off the bat of A. Rosales.

Lara (2-1) earned her second-consecutive win in the circle after coming in in relief. She struck out one batter and allowed a mere two hits. Sophomore Carrah Van Houten started the game and tossed four innings, allowed one run and struck out two.

Riverside strung together eight hits led by a 3-for-3 night from A. Rosales. She notched a double and recorded two RBI including the game winner.

Riverside (2-4) will continue action on Saturday, February 12 at home with a double header against Allan Hancock (12 p.m.) and LA Mission (5 p.m.).