Irvine, Calif. — The Orange County Riptide (9-8-1, 5-7 CCL) fell to the Arroyo Seco Saints 6-2 Thursday night at the Orange County Great Park.
The Riptide were unable to carry on the momentum from their franchise’s first no-hitter last night as they allowed six unanswered runs after jumping out to a 2-0 lead.
The 7th inning proved to be the difference between the foes as the Saints poured on five runs to the Riptide’s dismay.
Starting pitcher Evan Vasiliou (UC Irvine) provided another strong start for the Riptide as he kept the Orange County franchise in the lead after his four innings of work. The Anteater allowed one earned run on four hits, striking out four Saints in the process.
The Riptide’s bullpen were unable to string together consecutive shutouts as they allowed five runs in their five innings of work. Luke Higgins (Golden West College) stood out among the bullpen as he pitched a run-free inning, the only Riptide reliever to do so.
Designated hitter Gavin Haimovitz (Santa Barbara Community College) kicked started the Riptide’s offense with a hard hit two RBI single that trickled down the right-field line.
An RBI single for Gavin Haimovitz @gavinhaimovitz (@sbccbaseball) scores Chase Valentine @cvalentine_27 (@Vol_Baseball) and Miller Ladusau @ladusau_m (@ACU_Baseball) which gives the Riptide a 2-0 lead after 2 innings‼️ #CCLBaseball #irvine #RBI #ocriptidefamily pic.twitter.com/UtnPsaIUED
— OC Riptide Baseball (@ocriptide) July 1, 2022
Shortstop Chase Valentine (Tennessee), who entered the game with one hit in the season, finished the contest doubling his season total with a pair of singles.
After Valentine’s second hit in the bottom of the 4th, the Riptide’s offense sputtered as they could only muster one hit for the rest of the contest.
The Riptide look to rebound from the loss tomorrow night against the Academy Barons on the road. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pacific time.