Irvine, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide defeated the Conejo Oaks in their first encounter of the season, at the Great Park, winning 8 to 2.
Ahead of the game, Head Coach Connor Spencer hoped that their win against the Arroyo Secco Saints would fuel their next winning streak. Noting the talent the Oaks bring to the field, Spencer said, “It’s always going to be a tight ballgame with them. So I’m looking forward to a competitive ballgame on both sides.” However, while it was a competitive game, it was not a tight one, with OC Riptide winning 8 to 2.
Patrick Hackworth (UC San Diego) flashed some leather in rightfield, sliding into foul territory, and catching the ball at the fence. He made another incredible catch, diving for a ball to start the 6th inning. Hackworth said, “In the moment, you can’t really think, you just have to do, so I’m happy how it turned out.”
CHAOS IN THE 8TH:
Curren Larson (UConn) allowed the first run for the Riptide in the top of the 8th inning, scoring the Oaks‘ Zachary Scwartzberg from 3rd. Gray Thomas (Oklahoma) relieved Larson and induced an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play with Carter Garate (Oregon), Connor McGuire (Cal Baptist), and Nolan Funke (New Mexico State).
In the bottom of the 8th, the Riptide manufactured runs in a 2-out rally, pressuring the Oaks’ defense. An RBI single from Cary Arbolida (Houston) drove in a run, scoring Connor McGuire (Cal Baptist) from 3rd. Blake Penso (UC Irvine) followed suit with another RBI single, scoring Patrick Hackworth (UC San Diego) and Cary Arbolida (Houston) from 2nd and 3rd base. Grady Morgan (Fresno State) came home from 3rd after a single from Carter Garate (Oregon). A passed ball secured the fifth and final run of the inning, scoring Blake Penso (UC Irvine) from 3rd.
The Orange County Riptide will again battle the Conejo Oaks at George “Sparky” Anderson Field at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.
OC Riptide vs. Conejo Oaks – Box Score