SANTA ANA, Calif. – The high-powered Santa Ana (18-3, 3-1) lineup got busy in the sixth inning of Tuesday's Orange Empire Conference series opener against Riverside City (15-6, 1-3), posting seven runs to pull away from the Tigers.
Cederick Perez led off the inning with a double down the left field line and scored on a single through the right side from Copper Hansen, who then advanced to third on a throwing error. Derek Sims followed that with a two run shot over the left field fence to give the Dons a 4-1 lead.
Santa Ana continued to rally, scoring four more runs by way of walks, being hit by pitches and a wild pitch.
In the top of the seventh, Riverside responded with four runs to pull within three before the Dons handed the ball Kyle Hoskins, who pulled off a seven out save for his eighth of the season.
Josh Haley collected his sixth win as the lefty from Gahr High went six and two third innings with four strikeouts while allowing five runs.
UP NEXT: Game two of the series is scheduled for Thursday (3/12) at Riverside at 2:00 p.m.