D’Ambra Tosses Gem in Win Over Saddleback

The Riverside City College baseball team got off to a rough start in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play after dropping the first game of a three game series against the Saddleback College Gauchos in uncharacteristic fashion. The Tigers looked to reshape in game two and did so successfully behind a strong outing from sophomore southpaw Drew D'Ambra. His efforts highlighted a 6-3 Riverside win.

D'Ambra, who has experienced a strong season thus far, carted his pitching dominance into conference play. He allowed just three hits throughout 7.1 innings and forced two inning ending double plays. He never faced a true threat in the game and capped his final two innings by retiring four in a row – two of the outs acting as swinging strikeouts.

The Riverside offensive made a big splash right off the bat by tallying five runs in the first two innings.

Sophomore center fielder Dylan Morace put the pressure on early by connecting for a leadoff double down the right field line. With two outs in the inning, sophomore right fielder Matthew Darr sent Morace home with a RBI single to grab a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers followed by scoring four runs the ensuing inning. Sophomore catcher Angel Mendoza was the spark plug by drawing a leadoff walk. He later scurried home on a passed ball. After sophomore second baseman Alex Moreno was issued a free pass a handful of batters later, sophomore designated hitter Steve Ramirez backed him with a two out, two RBI single to right-center field. Darr capped the inning with a RBI base knock through the right side, plating Moreno, leading to a 5-0 advantage.

Ramirez struck once more and added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning. He stepped in and sent Moreno home on sacrifice fly to extend the Tigers lead to 6-0 after five full.

Saddleback trimmed the Tiger's lead to 6-3 leading entering into the top of the ninth inning, but sophomore closer Jacob Billiu to strand Gaucho base runners on second and third leading to the win.

D'Ambra (3-1) earned the victory in his most impressive and lengthy outing of the season. He tossed 7.1 frames and fanned five batters. He threw under 100 pitches in his outing.

The bullpen was responsible for allowing most of the damage, but Billiu entered in the top of the ninth inning and earned a two-out save by fanning the final batter of the game.

Offensively, the Tigers banged out nine hits with Darr and sophomore third baseman Matthew Ivancich each going 2-for-4. Darr sent home a pair of RBI. Ramirez was the RBI breadwinner with three runs driven in.

Riverside (15-4, 1-1 OEC) will completed a three-game series against Saddleback on Saturday, March 7 on the road at 12 p.m.