IRVINE, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Philippines Baseball Group at Great Park Wednesday night.
The Riptide offense struck first in the third, scoring two runs on two hits.
After Alex Dolan singled and Bradley Navarro walked, Brock Foulds tripled to left center. The shortstop’s triple cleared the gap and trickled to the wall, allowing Dolan and Navarro to cruise home.
“I was looking for a pitch in the zone to drive, got one down in the zone and got rewarded,” Foulds said.
The Philippines scored once in the fourth and again in the sixth to tie the game.
In the fourth, Philippines catcher Noah Rodriguez walked, stole second, then advanced to third on a passed ball. He was then brought home after a sacrifice fly to right from shortstop Nomar Vazquez.
Designated hitter Isaiah Chaves walked to kickoff the sixth for the Philippines before being driven in by right fielder Hector Piña.
Searching for its first win of the season, the Philippines nearly grabbed the lead in the seventh – but would be turned away by the right arm of Bradley Navarro.
Austin Basch singled to kick off the inning, then worked his way to third with just one out in the inning. Basch tagged on a shallow fly ball to right-center field off the bat of Braden Sellz, but Navarro fired a perfect strike, gunning the right fielder down at the plate to end the frame.
“I thought I was really in, and I didn’t think he was going to run at all,” Navarro said. “I kind of hesitated a bit, but saw him take off and launch it at home and everything worked out.”
The Riptide offense rode the momentum from the top of the inning, as Foulds manufactured the winning run. He led off with a single, then advanced to second on a passed ball before stealing third.
The catchers’ throw to third trickled into the outfield, allowing Foulds to steal third and come home unscathed.
Sean York picked up his first save of the season to close out the game for the Riptide.
Orange County returns to Great Park Thursday night for a high-stakes battle against the first-place Santa Barbara Foresters.
First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
