IRVINE, Calif – The Riptide bounced back with a win at the Great Park after suffering a loss the previous night. Their five-game winning streak was snapped by the Conejo Oaks on Tuesday, but the Riptide responded with a 6-2 triumph over the San Diego SunRays.
Luke Sterner led the way for the Riptide, delivering a stellar performance by holding the Oaks scoreless through nine batters. Sterner pitched six innings, striking out ten while allowing only four hits and no earned runs.
The Riptide’s offense came alive in the bottom of the second inning. Nathan Cadena doubled, JC Allen was hit by a pitch and later scored, Max Senesac doubled to bring in Cadena, and Michael Diaz’s sacrifice fly added another run, giving the Riptide a 3-0 lead going into the third inning.
Both teams remained quiet until the bottom of the seventh when Jake Brown launched a three-run home run, scoring Max Senesac and Michael Diaz, who had both singled earlier in the inning.
The SunRays managed to add two runs in the final innings but couldn’t close the gap.
“Last night was a weird game. I told the guys to flush it from their memories and come back ready to play a new ball game. I think the guys brought some decent energy and did a nice job capitalizing on the situations we found ourselves in,” said Head Coach Connor Spencer, comparing the previous game to the one against the SunRays.
Strong pitching performances from Sammy Petrocelli, who struck out the side in the seventh, and Matthew Shavone, who closed the game, were key in securing the Riptide’s victory.
The Riptide aim to continue their winning momentum on Friday against the Arroyo Seco Saints at home.
