Rustlers Claw Tigers for First Home Conference Victory

Huntington Beach, CA - Golden West softball (6-4, 2-2 OEC) held their first home conference game against the Riverside Tigers (7-15, 1-4 OEC), 16-2. 

On a very windy day at Golden West College, the Rustlers hosted their first conference game against the Riverside Tigers. The Rustlers had the unfortunate circumstance of having to play both games on the road at Fullerton to open conference play due to rain flooding their field. For their third consecutive road matchup, the team defeated the Tigers at Riverside on Tuesday, 6-1. Finally at home, the team took on the Tigers and competed to earn their second OEC victory.  

The offense got to work early as Golden West knocked in two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sofia Herrera led it off with a walk and Orla Keys followed with a strong single. With two runners in scoring position, Candace DeMayo laced a single for a two-RBI base knock, 2-0. Riverside responded in the top of the second with a run off of two hits and an error, 2-1. The Tigers continued to threaten but the Rustlers came up with a huge defensive play. Shelby Jacobz in center field dove head first for an out and caught the base runner at first base for an incredible double-play. 

Golden West would repeat in the bottom of the second inning as Jacobz smashed the ball over the left fielder's head for a two-RBI triple, 4-1. Golden West tallied an additional run in the third from an RBI groundout from Maya Magadaleno, 5-1. The visiting Tigers made it interesting in the fourth as they loaded the bases with no outs. In the circle, Dezyree Arizmendi stood tall to retire the side scoreless with a strikeout in the inning. 

The Rustlers piled it on in the bottom of the frame as two more runs crossed home plate. Allyssa DeMayo singled in Jacobz and DeMayo later scored on a passed ball, 7-1. Riverside made a small comeback in the top of the sixth as they managed to score three off of four hits and a Golden West error, 7-4. The Rustlers shut the door for the final inning to escape their fourth conference appearance and win, 7-4. 

C. DeMayo had a great day at the plate as she went 2-4 with a run and two RBIs. Jacobz contributed to the offense with her one hit, two RBIs and two runs scored. Arizmendi performed well in the circle with her 4.0 innings pitched, one unearned run allowed and five strikeouts. Natalie Tonche came in for the final three innings to wrap up Golden West's second conference victory. 

UP NEXT: Golden West will play their next game on the road at Riverside on Friday, March 15th. First pitch will be at 2pm.