The Riptide were able to strike first in this ballgame scoring one run in the bottom of the second. After a hit by pitch, a walk, and a Riley Hunsaker (Cal Baptist U) single, Jonathan Rodriguez (U Nevada Las Vegas) got hit by a pitch to bring in Jimmy Zakhar (Transfer Portal) from third to score the first run of the evening. Fortunately for the Bombers, a double and a single would ultimately lead them to tying the game at one run each.
Jonathan Rodriguez (UNLV) after his first triple of the night Photo Courtesy of Sergio Gonzales
The game stayed stagnant until the bottom of the fifth inning where the Riptide were able to score a run and break the tie. Rodriguez hit his second triple of the game and was then brought in to score after a Jake Lambdin (Duke U) sacrifice fly ball to deep left field.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Riptide were able to string together a few hits to add some insurance runs to close the game out. Hunsaker and Rodriguez were both able to earn walks and Camden Burdick (Cal State Fullerton) reached base safely with a single to left to load the bases. Lambdin would then hit a single up the middle to score Burdick and Hunsaker to extend the Riptides lead to 4-1.
The Riptide pitching was able to limit the Bombers to just one run and shutout San Diego after the third inning. Hauze Fragoso (Cal State Bakersfield) shined in his outing, pitching four innings, giving up only one hit, and striking out five batters.
The Riptide improve their CCL record to 10-10 and look to pick up another win tomorrow night against the Santa Barbara Foresters at 4:30 p.m.
