Riverside City College Tigers celebrate their 7-3 victory over Orange Coast College at the Riverside City College Evans Sports Complex on March 21. Photo by Eric Pacheco
By: Eric Pacheco
The Tigers’ offense kept up its steady pace tallying seven runs for their fourth straight game which led the team to a win over Orange Coast College on March 21.
The Tigers’ relentless offensive play propelled them to victory. Much of that was led by three freshmen. Shortstop Eddy Alfaro, first baseman Dylan Nelson, and center fielder Parker Sobiesiak reached base three times respectively.
“Keep it simple, read the fastball and see high on the curveball,” leadoff hitter Alfaro said. “He was a big two-pitch guy so just evaluate that and get on base to help the team win.”
Riverside City College Tigers shortstop, Eddy Alfaro, 7, peers in before the pitch at the Riverside City College Evans Field Sports Complex on March 21.
The Tigers struck for two runs in the first, fifth, and sixth innings while also adding a run in the fourth at Evan’s Sports Complex. Nelson got the Tigers rolling early with a first-inning RBI double that scored Alfaro.
“All week we were talking about hunting high, getting your pitch, finding something you can drive,” Nelson said. “Being patient and trusting yourself to get into good counts and find something we could hit.”
Riverside City College Tigers first baseman, Dylan Nelson slides into second base at the Riverside City College Evans Sports Complex March 21. Photo by Eric Pacheco
The Tigers also took advantage of the Pirate’s poor defense as two errors in the fifth and another in the sixth would lead to four runs scored for RCC. Which put the Pirates down five runs heading into the later stages of the game.
“We’re starting to minimize mistakes and are being able to execute at a higher percentage and we’re finding ways to win now,” Tigers head coach Rudy Arguelles said.
The Pirates had their fair share of opportunities leaving five runners on base and only having three runs to show from the second to eighth inning. Plenty thanks to the Tigers starter freshman Ryan Jenkins who went 6.1 innings allowing eight hits but only three runs while striking out three.
“From the first inning I knew I didn’t have my off-speed stuff,” Jenkins said. “I knew if I located my fastball decent enough, I’d get timely outs.”
Riverside City College Tigers pitcher, Ryan Jenkins, 20, fires a pitch at the Riverside City College Evans Sports Complex on March 21. Photo by Eric Pacheco
The Tigers who have struggled dropping their first two conference play series against Saddleback and Golden West have now clinched a series victory against OCC and have a chance to sweep in the series finale.
“Those are rare in this conference and anytime you get a chance to do that you have to take advantage of it,” Arguelles said. “The message to the team was don’t take anything for granted, don’t let up, be ready to compete, come clear headed and finish the job.”
