Riverside grabbed a 4-0 lead after two innings of Tuesday's softball season opener and Marissa-Lena Nares tossed a three-hit shutout, leading the Tigers past visiting SBCC 8-0 in five innings.
Four of the Tigers' nine hits were doubles. First baseman Catherine Martinez led the RCC offense, going 2-3 with two doubles and four RBIs.
The Vaqueros loaded the bases with two outs in the first on walks to Natalie Depasquale and Lauren Del Campo and an infield single by Sinai Miranda. Nares ended the threat by getting Mia Carranza to look at strike three.
Depasquale, Miranda and Naomi Churchill had the hits for SBCC.
Carson Dunckley started in the circle, giving up seven runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings. Nares struck out five and walked five.
The Vaqueros will play their home opener on Thursday against Bakersfield at 2:30 p.m.
