IRVINE, Calif. – A 10-run first inning helped the Orange County Riptide secure a 12-2 win against the Conejo Oaks on Friday night at Great Park.
Catcher Cooper Clouser, who went 4-for-4 with three RBIs, started the barrage with an RBI single, sending home center fielder Trajan Rogowski. It’s the sixth time this season that the Riptide scored first, and the fourth where they’ve done it in the opening frame.
“Just keeping it loose,” Clouser said. “I’ve been in my head a little bit these past couple of days; I was just trying to keep it loose and have fun today.”
In his second at-bat of the inning, first baseman Justin Tillar tallied the Riptide’s sixth hit and brought home right fielder Jarret Sabol to increase their commanding lead to double digits.
The Riptide accomplished a feat that had not happened since July 18, 2025, when Orange County scored ten runs in the seventh inning over the Arroyo Seco Saints.
In the bottom of the third, the Riptide continued to pull away. Second baseman Conner Barth brought in Sabol to increase the lead to 11.
Starting pitcher Sammy Cova, who tossed four innings with six punchouts, rode the momentum of the team’s offensive success, pitching his eighth consecutive shutout inning. The Riptide pitching staff only allowed five hits, two of which came from Oaks center fielder Owen Meli.
The Riptide never let their foot off the gas. Left fielder Tatum Marsh drove in Clouser for the final Riptide run of the game to seal a 12-2 final.
Riptide move to 10-4 on the season and will hit the road to play the San Luis Obispo Blues on Saturday, June 20.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
