American River College started off the 2025 season a little slow but woke up the bats in the 6^th inning to earn a season opening win over West Valley College in Saratoga on Friday.  Both teams starting pitchers were dominant early as hard throwing Nico Wagner for West Valley held the Beavers to just one hit over 5 innings.  Sophomore RHP Joey Guarienti (Vista del Lago) was equally impressive for the Beavers, limiting West Valley to one run through the first five inning with 6 strikeouts and just 3 balls hit out of the infield.  After the Beavers tied the game in the 6^th inning on an RBI single by sophomore 2B Jayden Reynolds (Bella Vista), Guarienti began to tire and allowed a solo home run and a pair of walks in the 6^th.  He was relieved by freshman LHP Aidan Lieu (Rio Americano) who struggled, hitting 2 batters and allowing an RBI single to cash in Guarienti's runs.  Despite entering the 7^th inning down 5-1 the Beavers were not discouraged and quickly took the lead.  After freshman 3B Jackson Nichols (Valley Christian) homered to lead off the 7^th, the next 5 Beavers reached base and scored to put ARC up 7-5.  Freshman RHP Kaden Clive (Delta HS) came on in relief of Lieu and got the Beavers through the 7^th and into the 8^th holding on to a 7-6 lead.  But the Beavers broke the game open in the 9^th thanks to an RBI single by freshman CF Dylan Westbrook (Oak Ridge) and a 2 run home run by freshman 1B Lance Sabatke (River City), the first of his college career.Jackson Nichols came on to finish the 8^th and escaped a couple of errors and unearned runs in the 9^th to close out the game for the Beavers.  The two teams will meet on Saturday at Beaver Field at 1:00 pm.