A six-run sixth inning lifted No. 8 Riverside City College to a 9-6 win over No. 11 Cypress College, breaking open a tight game in the series opener at Evans Sports Complex.

Down 5-3, the Tigers’ offense was searching for a spark. Sophomore infielder Darin Osterloh drove in a run to cut the lead to one.

Later, with the bases loaded and one out, sophomore infielder Bubba Heidler delivered a single to give the Tigers a 6-5 lead, their first of the game. Freshman outfielder Aiden Erlandsen then delivered the big blow, launching a three-run home run to extend the lead to 9-5.

The Chargers managed just one run after the early innings, but the Tigers’ pitching and defense took over from there, shutting down any momentum as Riverside held on for a 9-6 win in the series opener.

“We played good overall, it was a huge victory,” Osterloh said. “We just have to start out better than we did today.”

Erlandsen led the offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, highlighted by a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Osterloh added a multi-hit effort, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Sophomore right-hander Jake Valenzuela started on the mound, striking out five and allowing nine hits. Freshman Zach Gibbs came on in relief and allowed just two hits while striking out five, earning his first win of the season.

“Zach came out today, and he closed it out for us. When we see him go out, we know he’s gonna put everything out there,” freshman pitcher Andrew Sanchez said.

Riverside improves to 12-4 in Orange Empire Conference play (26-9 overall) and sits in second place in the standings, two games back of the first-place Santa Ana College.

“This first win is everything, it sets a tone,” sophomore infielder Luis Sosa said. “It shows that we’re gonna come out with complete dominance and come out with intent every game.”

The Tigers head to Cypress on Thursday, April 16, for the second game of the three-game series, looking to build on their opening win and move one step closer to taking the series.