IRVINE, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide have defeated the North County United 5-4 in extra innings Thursday night at The Great Park in Irvine.
The first two innings were fairly slow for both teams. Trey Telfer (SDSU) started on the mound for the Riptide and was able to strike out six batters in the first three innings. When asked about what was working so well against United, Telfer responded with the following, “Just trying to stay consistent and attack, dominate, and get ahead.”The Riptide were able to strike first in the bottom of the third inning after Isaac Cadena (USC) doubled to right center, followed by an RBI single from Reid Montgomery (CSULB).
In the top of the fourth inning, United was able to answer the Riptide and score a run of their own, to tie the game at one each. Fortunately for the Riptide, Riley Hunsaker (CBU) doubled to right field and Jake Evans (CSULB) singled to left to give the Riptide a 2-1 lead after four innings of play.
Catcher Henry McDonald after a walk-off sac fly.
Photo Courtesy of Andy Espineira
Yet again, both teams stayed silent for the next two innings. Noah Smith (CBU) was able to enter the game and toss two shutout innings while striking out four batters. In the bottom of the seventh, the Riptide took advantage of three walks and scored a run with a sacrifice fly ball from Brady Petit (St. Marys) to make the score 3-1 in favor of Orange County.
The game was one strike away from being over when the United scored two runs to tie the game at three runs each. The Riptide were unable to respond and the game would advance to extra innings. With a runner on second, United was able to score one run after a passed ball and a sacrifice fly ball. The ballgame was looking grim for the Riptide but they were able to prevail. After an RBI single from Jack Salmon (UNLV), Henry McDonald (Transfer Portal) was able to hit a deep fly ball to left to score the winning run, ending the game at 5-4.
The Riptide look to extend their win streak to nine games Friday against Arroyo Seco in Pasadena.
