American River finished the first week of BIG 8 Conference play in grand fashion, defeating #11 ranked Diablo Valley College 4-1 at Beaver Field on Saturday.  A.R.C. took two out of three from top ranked Cosumnes River College earlier in the week and currently sit tied for 2nd in the BIG 8 at 3-1. 

Andrew Wiesenfarth (Rio Americano) needed just 82 pitches to complete 8 innings, allowing just one run on 7 hits while striking out two.  He improved his record to 4-1 on the season.  DVC got on the board first, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning, but the Beavers answered right back, getting back-to back singles from 1B Kirby Broadbent (Oakmont) and 3B Brayden Gomez (Bella Vista) to lead off the bottom of the 2nd.  LF Mike Hatfield (Del Campo) then bunted the ball back towards the mound, but DVC's pitcher was unable to field it, loading the bases with no outs.  DH Mitchell Brill (Woodcreek) then singled to right to score Broadbent, and Gomez scored as the throw went in to 2nd base. 

The Beavers added to the lead in the 5th inning when SS Jared Biggs (Del Campo) laced a 2 out single to right to score RF Cade Parker (Yreka) who had reached 2nd when Diablo Valley's centerfielder dropped a fly ball.  Kirby Broadbent then got his 2nd hit of the day to extend the inning, allowing Brayden Gomez to come up and line a full count, two out pitch to right to score Biggs.

Wiesenfarth needed just 7 pitches get out of the 7th inning, then needed just 4 to put the Vikings away in the 8th.  He gave up a leadoff single in the 9th, giving way to Ian Codina (Oakmont) to come in and record his 4th save of the season.

The Beavers will be on the road all next week, going to Concord twice to face DVC, once on Tuesday and once on Thursday.  They then travel to face #3 ranked Santa Rosa JC on Saturday.