Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West College remained unbeaten in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play, edging out visiting Riverside City College 7-6 in a back-and-forth contest at Hoover Field on Friday afternoon. The win pushes the Rustlers to 15-6 overall and 4-0 in conference, while the Tigers fall to 14-6 and 2-2 in OEC action.

The Rustlers used a four-run third inning and timely pitching to withstand a late rally by Riverside, who plated two runs in the top of the ninth before relief pitcher Matt Futami slammed the door to secure the win and the save.

Golden West was led at the plate by Bryan Martinez, whose two-run home run in the third inning sparked the big frame that turned a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 lead. Matt Fox added a clutch RBI double in the same inning and finished the day 2-for-4 with an RBI and a pair of doubles.

Catcher Roman Meyers reached base twice and scored three runs, while Zack Burrow drove in what proved to be the game-winning RBI with a single in the fifth inning.

Riverside battled back behind Ian Nguyen, who drove in a run with a double in the ninth and finished 1-for-5 with an RBI. Danny Inzunza also contributed with a sacrifice fly RBI earlier in the game, while Logan Clear added a sac fly and a run scored.

Rustlers starter David Ladjevic was strong through five innings, allowing just one hit and three runs (all earned), though he did walk five. He struck out four before turning things over to the bullpen.

Ayden Valdez navigated through traffic over 3.2 innings, giving up four hits and three runs while striking out five, before Futami recorded the final out, despite a wild pitch that allowed a run to score in the ninth.

For Riverside, starter Jorge Rodriguez was tagged for six runs (five earned) on nine hits over five innings, including Martinez's homer.

The Rustlers will travel to Riverside City tomorrow (Sunday 3/16) for game two of the series before traveling back on Monday to close the three game series out.