Santa Barbara, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide lost to the Santa Barbara Foresters 2-1 Saturday night. The Riptide played great baseball against two of the best pitchers the Foresters threw out there, but couldn’t get the clutch hit.
Isaiah Morales (Utah Valley) brought in the tying run in the eighth inning with an RBI double to left field. Reed Schaefer (Southern Nevada) fell behind multiple batters in the bottom of the eighth and they were able to capitalize and take the lead. The Foresters then put the Riptide away in the 9th to give the Riptide their third loss in a row.
Stellar Pitching
Jack Kirrer (Cal) was dominant once again, throwing 5.2 innings of no-hit ball before the Foresters strung together two straight hits to go up 1-0. Kirrer followed up last week’s quality start and was one out away from notching another one.
“It was another solid outing picking up my team and putting us in position to have a chance to win the game,” said Kirrer. “Got ahead early with my fastball and slider and I was able to use the slider as my put-away pitch today.”
It was a pitchers duel once again in another start by Kirrer which has been expected in every start he has made this summer.
Ducks on the Pond
(Photo Credit: Sarah Cisneros)
The Riptide had a chance to break the game open in the second inning loading the bases with one out. Back-to-back strikeouts would keep the game scoreless, as a team the Riptide struggled to produce with runners in scoring position. It was a frustrating night as the offense was only able to muster three hits collectively.
The Riptide will face the Foresters again on Sunday night at the Orange County Great Park. After losing the first three games this summer to the Foresters, the Riptide will look to turn things around and get a win. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. pacific time.
OC Riptide vs. Foresters – Box