Silvas Chucks Gem in Victory Over Grossmont

The Riverside City College baseball team hosted the Grossmont College Griffiths in a 2022 Southern Regional playoff rematch on Wednesday night. The Tigers leaned on a strong outing from sophomore starter Anthony Silvas while displaying a strong supporting offense en route to an 8-3 win.

Silvas toed the slab for the second time this season and struggled to find the zone in the first frame. After allowing a leadoff hit and a walk a batter later, he quickly found his groove by fanning the last two batters of the inning.

The power-throwing right hander leaned on a heavy fastball and a dirty slider the following four innings that kept the Griffins off balance all night. His second inning was dominant as he mirrored his first inning by punching out two more batters. He struck out the side in the third inning and followed by retiring the next five batters in a row leading to two more strikeouts. He capped his final frame by forcing two consecutive groundouts; one to sophomore second baseman Nathan Aldaz and himself.

Riverside struck first by scoring four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman first baseman Bryce Cermenelli led the inning off with a walk, backed by Aldaz wearing a pitch off his elbow awarding him first base. Cermenelli came around to score on a groundout from freshman third baseman Jerrad Gonzalez, while Aldaz was plated on a single from freshman shortstop Robert Phelps. Sophomore center fielder Casey Murray Jr. closed the inning with a triple to deep right-center field, scoring Hurtado and Phelps, leading to the early 4-0 lead.

Riverside tacked on another run the ensuing inning on a sacrifice flyout from freshman designated hitter Dominic Dominguez allowing sophomore catcher Rei Shobuya to touch home. The offensive melee continued in the bottom of the fourth inning as Derek Hurtado sparked a mini rally by reaching base on a one-out walk. He later came around to score on a double off the bat of Murray Jr. to extend the Riverside lead to 7-0.

Silvas gave way to freshman reliever Dakota Gray in the bottom of the sixth inning. He experienced a one-two-three inning which featured striking out the second batter he faced.

Sophomore pinch hitter Andrew Rodriguez added another Tiger run in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two out base knock to left center, plating sophomore right fielder Matthew Bardowell who drove a triple to dead center.

Freshman reliver Colt Tucker tossed the final two innings of the game and allowed just one run on three hits leading to a punchout and an 8-2 win.

Silvas (1-0) finished with nine strikeouts and allowed just one hit. Gray and Tucker slammed the door by each throwing two innings.

Murray Jr. led the offense going 2-for-5 with a double, triple, three RBI and one run scored. Bardowell followed with a 2-for-5 day at the dish featuring a triple, run and RBI. He has barreled 12 hits in the past five games. 

Aldaz extended his hitting streak to five games by barreling a single to center field.