Irvine, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide took an early lead and never looked back in Wednesday night’s win against the Conejo Oaks as they came out on top 9-0. With the help of Texas State right-hander Tony Robie’s 10 strikeouts, Orange County was able to throw a combined shutout through nine innings bringing their record to 13-8. The Orange County Great Park hosted the Riptide’s fourth consecutive CCL game and they stand at 2-2 in that span.
Tony Robie (Texas State) strikes out 10 through seven innings of work. (Photo Credit: Emily Sullivan)
Robie continued to rack up his strikeout total as he was the Riptide’s starting pitcher. Facing 25 batters through seven innings, he struck out 10 Conejo batters while allowing only two hits and two walks. After an impressive 10:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, Robie now leads Orange County pitchers with 32 strikeouts this summer.
The Riptide were able to tally five runs in the first inning as each of the starting nine Orange County hitters stepped up to the plate. Oaks starting pitcher Lucien Wechsberg struggled to find the strike zone as he allowed six base on balls (five walks, one hit by pitch) and two hits through 1.1 innings. Tennessee catcher Charlie Taylor and Indiana infielder Tank Espalin each earned themselves an RBI single, as the other three runs in the inning scored via RBI walks.
Kolton Freeman (Dartmouth) knocks in four RBI’s (Photo Credit: Emily Sullivan)
After Dwight Allen (Georgia) was walked for his second time of the game in the second inning, he stole second base and advanced to third base on a pass ball. This allowed Kolton Freeman (Dartmouth) to record his first RBI of the game with a clutch RBI groundout.
There was very little offensive entertainment after the second inning as there were just two hits and zero runs scored between both teams through the third, fourth, and fifth inning. Freeman ended that narrative after he ripped a two-RBI single into center field that scored Taylor and Allen for his second and third RBI of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Freeman furthered his multi-RBI game by recording his fourth RBI with a single in the eighth inning for the ninth and final run of the game. Arkansas left-handed pitcher Matthew Magre entered the game to face nine batters through the final two innings of the game. He continued the shutout started by Robie by striking out three, allowing zero walks and just two hits.
Dwight Freeman (Georgia) tallies three walks and four runs. (Photo Credit: Emily Sullivan)
Allen continued to be dominant at the top of the Riptide lineup as he stayed patient at the plate and worked three walks. After reaching base four times through five plate appearances, he crossed the plate each and every time he became a baserunner which is a tool every coach looks for in a lead-off hitter. Additionally, he finished the game with two stolen bases for his team-leading 10th and 11th stolen base.
The Riptide will play their fifth consecutive CCL game against the San Luis Obispo Blues at Sinsheimer Park tomorrow, July 8th, at 6:00 PM PST.
OC Riptide vs. Conejo Oaks July 7th, 2021- Box Score
