Dons Struggle Late Again. Lose to Riverside 7-2

Dalton Rasmussen allowed just three runs, two earned, on five hits over 7.2 innings against Riverside City College.
Dalton Rasmussen allowed just three runs, two earned, on five hits over 7.2 innings against Riverside City College.

SANTA ANA - The Dons dropped the rubber match of their series against Riverside City College with a final score of 7-2 in an Orange Empire Conference game. The visiting team won each game of the series as the Tigers (15-9, 3-6) won both games played on Don Sneddon Field.

The game opened with both starting pitchers taking control as there were only three hits through the first six innings, two by the Tigers and one by the Dons. Riverside's second hit contributed to the game's first run as Anthony Ward reached on an infield single before eventually scoring on an error. The Tigers extended their lead to 2-0 in the seventh inning when Tommie Pincin scored on a RBI-single by Sean Smith.

The Dons (16-8, 3-6) finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh inning with Bobby Vasquez scoring when Justin Mellano singled through the right side before Jeff Murray tied the game at 2-2 when he doubled in Tommy Anderson.

But Riverside would reclaim the lead in the top of the eighth with a run scoring on a wild pitch before tacking on four more runs in the ninth inning.

Dalton Rasmussen (2-2) took the loss despite allowing just three runs, two earned, on five hits over 7.2 innings of work. Riverside's Christian Steigele (2-0) got the win in relief as he allowed one run on two hits over three innings while striking out six batters.