Saturday's 2025 season home opener didn't go exactly as planned for American River College, as they dropped a 10-7 decision to West Valley College on Saturday.  In front of a large crowd freshman RHP Ethan Palumbo (Antelope) started off well, mowing down the Vikings first three hitters on 12 pitches.  The second inning was a little rougher.  After a leadoff walk and a double the Vikings later got a two-out hit to go up 2-0.  Palumbo then surrendered a solo home run in the 3^rd to put West Valley up 3-0.  ARC charged right back though, scoring 4 runs in the bottom the 4^th thanks to an RBI double by freshman SS Bryce Sabatke (River City) and a two run double to left center by freshman DH Jackson Nichols (Valley Christian).  Palumbo had a relatively easy 4^th inning but then in the 5^th the Beavers had one of those innings.  After a leadoff HBP and a one out walk, Palumbo surrendered his 2^nd home run of the game, this time a 3 run shot to put West Valley up 6-4.  Freshman RHP Nathan Gahn (Bear Creek) came on in relief and after three more errors the Vikings were up 9-4.  Gahn allowed a solo home run in the top of the 6^th. 

The Beavers did close the gap however, scoring three runs in the bottom of the 8^th with sophomore RF Jonas Dyas (Folsom) lacing an RBI double to right and freshman Rylan Pope (McClatchy) picking up his first collegiate RBI with a groundout to 2^nd.  Sophomore 2B Jayden Reynolds (Bella Vista) singled in the 9^th but that was as close as the Beavers could get to tying up the game.  Sophomore LF Nick Golden (El Camino) and freshman CF Dylan Westbrook (Oak Ridge) each threw a runner out at the plate in the game. 

The Beavers return to action on Thursday at Beaver Field for a 2:00 p.m start against the Shasta College Knights.