Red-hot Riverside stymies Vaqueros, 16-2

Riverside piled up 16 runs on 17 hits on Saturday and Brianna Arroyo pitched a two-hitter in a 16-2 softball win over SBCC at Pershing Park. The non-conference game was called after five innings by the 8-run rule.

Shortstop Danielle Lopez led the Tigers with a two-run triple in the first and a two-run homer in the second. Samantha Peluffo and Dani Melendez, the first two hitters in the Tigers' lineup, combined to go 6-for-10 with five RBIs.

The Tigers are a perennial powerhouse from the Orange Empire Conference. Riverside, rated No. 9 in the Southern Cal RPI, won its sixth straight game to improve to 18-11. They've scored 11 or more runs in five of their last six contests. The Vaqueros are 6-19.

Emily LoneTree belted a solo homer to left-center with two outs in the first to cut the deficit to 2-1. It was the second homer of the season for LoneTree, a freshman shortstop who's batting .300.

The visitors scored four in the second and three in the third to stretch the lead to 9-1.

"They're a good team that typically finishes in the top 10 or 15 in Southern California," said SBCC coach Justine Bosio. "They're well-coached and they definitely took advantage of our mistakes today.

"Emily has been swinging big for us and it was great to see her get a home run."

The Vaqueros loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth. Carson Dunckley was hit by a pitch for the second time and Kaelyn Whitten was also hit. With two outs, Samantha Yanes drove a line drive to center for a single that loaded the bases. Kayana Diaz, a freshman left fielder from Carpinteria High, drew a walk to force in Dunckley with the second run.

The Vaqueros will travel to L.A. Pierce on Tuesday, then host Cuesta on Friday at 1 p.m.