IRVINE, Calif. —The OC Riptide shut out the San Diego Waves 6–0 on Wednesday night at Great Park thanks to a five-run explosion in the third inning and five strong innings from starter Michael Erspamer (Stanford).
In the bottom of the second, the Riptide cracked the scoreboard. Luke Johnson (Cornell University) reached first on an error from the Waves’ shortstop, going on to steal second and third, getting into scoring position early. Zach Crandall (UCI) brought Johnson across the plate after a sac-fly to right, taking the early lead 1-0.
OC kept their foot on the gas going into the third. Camden Sos (Texas Christian University) started the inning off with a double off the left field wall, setting the tone. Bradley Navarro (University of Utah) then singled to center, scoring Sos. Issac Cadena (USC) roped a two-run double and scored on a wild pitch as the Riptide pushed across three more. Johnson singled and swiped two bags, while Zach Crandall (UCI) added a sac-fly 6-0 ‘Tide.
Michael Erspamer (Stanford University)
Photo courtesy of jgray.media
Riptide starting pitcher Erspamer was dominant through five scoreless innings. Allowing only one hit and retiring the side in order three times, he struck out five while the defense backed him up, highlighted by a Reid Montgomery (Long Beach State University) diving catch in the first.
“Pitch efficiency was really important tonight,” Erspamer said. “I was on a pitch count, so I wasn’t chasing strikeouts, just focused on getting outs and giving the team as many innings as I could.” He also credited in-game adjustments with keeping the Waves off balance: “Between innings, I’d check where I was missing, talk with my catcher, and adjust the target, whether higher or lower, to stay sharp.”
In innings 6 through 9, the Riptide bullpen took care of business efficiently, allowing just one hit and holding the Waves scoreless. The early damage held as the pitching staff closed the door, but the offense slowed down in the last four innings, managing only one baserunner.
The Riptide face the Barons at the MLB Youth Academy on Friday.
