IRVINE, Calif. — In a game filled with defensive miscues and momentum swings, the OC Riptide walked it off in dramatic fashion, taking down the Malibu Marlins 8–7 in 10 innings Wednesday night at Great Park.
The Marlins delivered a quick two runs in the top of the second and third innings, striking first to take a quick 2-0 lead, putting immediate pressure on the Riptide.
Heading to the bottom of the fourth, the Riptide strung together a couple of base runners courtesy of a Petit walk and a Carter Danz base hit. With a runner in scoring position, Tillar drove in a run and advanced Danz. A wild pickoff attempt from the Marlins pitcher allowed another Riptide run to tie the game at 2-2.
Down 5-3 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Riptide offense erupted. Tyler Holland delivered a timely RBI double to cut the deficit to one, and Jack Salmon then plated the go-ahead run with a single to center, giving the ‘Tide a 6-5 lead.
The Marlins refused to go quietly. Malibu capitalized on multiple errors in the top of the ninth inning, allowing the tying run to score, forcing extras. And took the lead in the top of the tenth on a groundout RBI.
Bringing the energy in the bottom of the tenth, the Riptide responded. Salmon led off with a walk, but a double play quickly brought OC down to its final out. Carter Danz kept the game alive with a clutch single to right-center. Setting the stage for Justin Tillar, who crushed a 2-0 fastball deep to center for the walk-off RBI.
“Honestly, I was just hoping he threw me a fastball,” Tillar said postgame.
Despite the thrilling victory, the Riptide had its struggles, with multiple costly errors and surrendering leads from the bullpen in both the sixth and ninth innings.
“That’ll be a point of topic,” said Head Coach Evans. “We need to start finishing ball games and keep our foot on the pedal.”
With the win tonight, the Riptide improve to 3-3 on the season and will look to jump above .500 tomorrow against Philippines Baseball at 6 pm at Great Park.
