The five-time defending Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Champions didn't get off to the best start in their title defense as the Dons dropped the OEC opener 4-3 to Riverside City College.

Riverside (6-8, 1-0) scored all four of its runs in the second and third innings. Daniel Arellano and Jake Middleton each scored in the second while Nick Bruno and Cade Gotta scored in the third.

The Dons (10-3, 0-1) didn't get on the board until the fourth inning when Tyler Madrid, who reached on an error, scored on a RBI-groundout by Brandon Baxter.

Baxter started the Dons next rally in the seventh inning when he led the inning off with a walk before being replaced by pinch-runner Geoff Schuller. Adrian Garcia followed with a single up the middle before Trevor Magno advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt.

Blake Walker then plated Schuller with a RBI-groundout before Garcia scored on a wild pitch to cut Riverside's lead to 4-3 after seven innings.

The Dons had one final attempt at a rally in the eighth inning with Andy Peterson hitting a lead off single before stealing second base. After Riverside got the first out of the inning, Konnor Armijo drew a walk before Dylan Jones hit a fielder's choice, advancing Peterson to third base.

With Jones at first base and Peterson at third base, the Dons appeared to tie the game when Jones got caught in a pickoff, allowing Peterson to break for home. However, the throw beat Peterson home where he was called out despite appearing to slide in under the tag.

John Kappmeyer then retired the Dons in order in the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season. Kappmeyer replaced Matt Chabot (1-1) who picked up the win after allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits over seven innings.

Garrett Wilson (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing four runs, all earned, on eight hits over 6.2 innings pitched.