SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif – Back-to-back five-run innings from the San Luis Obispo Blues resulted in a 11-6 loss for the Orange County Riptide in their regular season finale on Sunday at Sinsheimer Park.
In the bottom of the sixth, it was a rinse-and-repeat process for the Blues. The rally started with an RBI single from Dominick Najar to cut the deficit to three. One run off a passed ball and two separate RBI singles later, left fielder CJ Moran knocked in Najar to end the sixth up 6-5.
In the bottom of the seventh, San Luis Obispo’s offense picked up right where it left off. An RBI single by catcher Kevin Spear got the rally rolling, and an RBI single from right fielder Kyle Becker extended the Blues’ lead to 11-5 heading into the eighth.
The Riptide started the scoring with a bang. In the top of the second, third baseman Madden Ocko turned on the afterburners with a triple, and then scored off a wild pitch to break the scoreless seal.
Orange County carried the momentum over in the next frame. In the top of the third, right fielder Bradley Navarro drove in second baseman Trajan Rogowski off a single for the two-run lead.
Crucial mistakes by the Blues helped the Riptide double their advantage. With a full count to first baseman Jarett Sabol, the payoff pitch went wild, brought home center fielder Alex Dolan, and placed Sabol on first.
With Navarro 90 feet away from home, head coach Bryan Evans opened the playbook with a double steal, which allowed Navarro to score with ease, placing Orange County in front 4-0.
In the top of the fourth, the power of the Riptide flashed in the blink of an eye. On the first pitch he saw, catcher Shawn Romero clobbered a homer, increasing the Riptide lead to five.
The bats of Orange County went cold shortly after, and the tables turned to the Blues. In the bottom of the fifth, Najar sent Spear home off a single for San Luis Obispo’s first run of the game.
In the top of the ninth, Hunter Harrington came in and sac-flied, driving in Zach Woodson for the final run of the game.
The Riptide finished its regular season with a 26-17 record, three more wins than last year’s team, which finished at 23-15.
Orange County will return home to host the California Collegiate League South Division Championship Game on July 29. The Riptide will have to wait for the winner of the Conejo Oaks vs. MLB Academy Barons Wild Card game.
First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
