American River College not only opened the 2024 season on Friday, they opened up the new $34 million baseball stadium at West Valley College.  It was a well played game by both teams with West Valley coming out on top 2-1.  Sophomore 2B Brett Griffiths (Jesuit) got the first hit at the new Valhalla Field, a line drive single to right on the first pitch of the game.  The Beavers also scored first, with sophomore 3B Willie Tatum III (Grant) driving in Griffiths in the 3^rd inning.  Sophomore LHP Luke Ostien (Rosemount, MN) threw 5 innings, striking out 3 and allowing 5 hits.  He was charged with the loss after West Valley scored both of their runs in the 5^th inning on a two out, two run double that was off of the glove of a diving Wyatt Bahlke (Woodcreek) in right field.  The threat was ended however when Brett Griffiths’ relay throw from right was in time to get the batter trying to stretch the hit into a triple.  Sophomore LHP Jake Morell (Whitney) threw the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th innings for the Beavers without allowing a hit.  The Beavers had a chance to tie the game in the 9^th when freshman 1B Alex Olson (Bella Vista) doubled to left center to lead off the inning.  The Beavers then had a pair of groundouts to third which didn’t allow Olson to advance.  After he stole third pinch-hitter Nick Golden (El Camino) was hit by a pitch which would have brought up Griffiths, but the umpire ordered Golden to stay at the plate, stating that he got hit intentionally by the pitch.  Golden struck out in a 7 pitch at-bat to end the game.  7 of the 9 ARC starters had at least one hit as the Beavers out hit the Vikings 8-5.

The two teams go at it again on Saturday at 1:00 pm in Saratoga.