IRVINE, Calif. — The OC Riptide exploded for 13 runs in a dominant offensive showing against the Conejo Oaks on Tuesday night at Great Park. Fueled by a seven-run fourth inning and consistent contributions throughout the lineup.
The Riptide started the game off hot with five hits in the bottom of the first, setting the tone early. A Jake Evans (Cal St Long Beach) double got the momentum going, Issac Cadena (USC) then ripped a stand-up triple scoring Evans. Immediately after Carter Danz (Northwestern University) sent a ball over the right field wall, making the game 3-0 in the first.
The Oaks responded quickly, with a couple of early singles putting runners in scoring position, and back-to-back sacrifice flies helped Conejo cut the Riptide lead to one.
OC answered back in the bottom of the second after Jake Lambdin (Duke University) on his 21st birthday, singled to get the ball rolling. Bradley Navarro (University of Utah) reached on an error and stole second. Cadena then drew a walk to load the bases. A Danz sac-fly extended the Riptide lead by one, followed by a Reid Montgomery (Long Beach State University) single to left, scoring Navarro.
A massive two-out rally from the Riptide tacked on seven more runs in the bottom of the fourth. With two runners on, Riley Hunsaker (California Baptist University) demolished a ball over the right field wall. An error, a walk, and a hit by pitch quickly loaded the bases. Cadena and Danz both drew walks, scoring two more. And a Luke Johnson (Cornell University) two-run single capped the inning at 12-2.
Hauze Fragoso (Cal St Bakersfield)
Photo courtesy of jgray.media
Starting pitcher Hauze Fragoso (Cal St Bakersfield) threw an efficient five innings, allowing just two runs on two hits. Fragoso mentioned post-game, “My body was not feeling the best, but I was able to throw strikes and put the ball in play, and my defense picked me up”.
The Tide added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh after two hits and a balk; Montgomery scored from third on a wild pitch.
The bullpen was lights out, allowing no runs in the final four innings, shutting down the Oaks.
Up next, the Riptide face Conejo on their home turf on Wednesday.
