Irvine, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide lost their final matchup against the San Diego Bombers results in a Riptide, 6-2, at Great Park Friday night.
The Bombers kicked off the game and quickly took the lead as designated hitter Jett Grossart singled and continued onto second after a balk, then third baseman Ayden Harrison brought him home with an RBI single.
The Riptide struck back immediately in the bottom of the first after Dennis Fitzpatrick brought home Nathaniel Pone with an RBI single, followed by another RBI single from Tatum Marsh, sending Tomas Cernius to the plate.
After an action-packed first inning, Riptide pitcher Erik Rodriguez held the score at 2-1 until the top of the fifth.
Bombers second baseman Joey Doskocil singled and brought in Ryan Jackson from second, tying up the game. Dillion Martin then doubled, bringing home another.
The Bombers wrapped up the inning with another single from Grossart, scoring Doskocil and Martin to make it 5-2.
“We were falling behind hitters,” head coach Bryan Evans said. “Not making good enough pitches with two strikes. [The Bombers] are aggressive and we know that, and we just need to make better pitches.”
The Riptide threatened with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, as Cernius and Fitzpatrick pulled into second and third after a wild pitch – but nothing came of it.
The Bombers added an insurance run in the bottom of the ninth, as Ganon Dwyer scored off an RBI single from Martin.
“It’s paramount,” Evans said when asked about the defensive miscues. “Taking care of the baseball and limiting free 90s. Doesn’t matter how the free 90 comes about. Whether it’s an overthrow or a misplay, they all add up.”
Orange County and San Diego faced off seven times over the course of the summer,with the Riptide winning five of the seven.
Up next, the Riptide will face off against the San Diego Waves Saturday night at Great Park.
First pitch set for 7 p.m.
