SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The Orange County Riptide continued its best start in franchise history in resounding fashion Saturday afternoon, defeating the San Luis Obispo Blues 10-6 at Sinsheimer Stadium and snapping the Blues’ league-leading 13-game win streak.
Designated hitter Cooper Clouser, who came into the contest with three consecutive multi-hit games, stayed red-hot, going 5-5 with three doubles and an RBI. In nine games this season, the catcher is hitting .400 with 10 RBIs and nine runs scored. Clouser gave the Riptide an early lead with an RBI double in what would be a three-run first inning.
Orange County carried the momentum from Friday’s 10-run victory over the Conejo Oaks into Saturday, handing San Luis Obispo its first loss since June 2 behind a six-run seventh inning.
Four hits, three of which went for extra bases, brought in the six Riptide runs in the seventh inning and blew the game wide open, giving Orange County a commanding 10-2 lead.
Despite committing four errors, Orange County earned its most impressive win of the season by capitalizing with runners in scoring position — going 7-18 (.389) while San Luis Obispo struggled to execute in similar situations, collecting just one hit in 13 opportunities (.077).
Right-handed pitcher Jake Valenzuela made his third start of the season tossing 4.1 innings, allowing two runs and striking out five. In 12.1 innings this season, Valenzuela has a 1.46 ERA with a WHIP just under one.
Orange County continues to produce both offensively and defensively, ranking third in batting average and second in on-base percentage while also owning the second-best ERA (2.98) in the California Collegiate League.
The Riptide improve to 11-3 on the season and sit 1.5 games back of the Santa Barbara Foresters in the south division.
Orange County will look to make it three straight wins as they return home for a Father’s Day matchup with the Academy Barons at Great Park.
First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.
