THOUSAND OAKS, Calif- The Orange County Riptide have defeated the Conejo Oaks 2-1 as they look to improve their seeding as the playoffs are looming.
To start the ballgame, Trey Telfer (SDSU) threw two scoreless innings while striking out five. In the top of the third inning, Jake Lambdin (Duke) led off the inning with a base hit up the middle. Bradley Navarro (Utah U) hit an infield single to the shortstop to put runners on first and second. With two runners on, Isaac Cadena (USC) hit a ground ball through the 3-4 hole to score Lambdin from second. After three innings, the Riptide led 1-0.
The next three innings were silent for each teams. Telfer would end his night after the sixth inning, he allowed five hits, no runs, one walk, and struck out five batters. To lead off the seventh inning, Riley Hunsaker (CBU) hit a single to center field to hopefully spark something for Orange County. Lambdin would then hit into a fielder’s choice to advance Hunsaker to second. With Navarro up to bat, the Oaks pitcher would attempt to pick-off Hunsaker at second, while running to third, the Oaks pitcher air-mailed the ball past the third baseman and allowed Hunsaker to cross home plate to take a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Riptide, the Oaks were able to respond with a run of their own to make the game 2-1.
To close out the game, Dylan Blakey (Texas Tech) tossed two shutout innings and struck out three batters. Blakey and Telfer struck out a combined 11 batters and gave up one run.
The Riptide are just 2.5 games back of first place with only three games left in the season. They look to tack on another win Friday night in Pasadena against the Arroyo Seco Saints.
