SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – After rallying for five runs in the top of the ninth to erase a late deficit, the Riptide’s comeback bid fell just short as the Santa Barbara Foresters walked it off in the bottom half for a 9-8 win Wednesday night, one day after the two teams’ scheduled matchup was cancelled due to travel issues.
The Riptide struck first with a two-out RBI single from Reid Montgomery in the top of the first, but the Foresters would answer back, tagging Tommy McGuire for three runs after just one-third of an inning. Josh Hickey entered in relief and limited the damage, throwing 3.2 scoreless frames to keep the Riptide within striking distance.
Trailing 3-1 in the fourth, the Riptide tied the game thanks to a pair of free passes, a fielding error, and a single from Bradley Navarro. But missed opportunities plagued the ‘Tide throughout the middle innings, including back-to-back walks in the third and a leadoff double in the fifth that came up empty.
Santa Barbara broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth, plating five runs with the help of three walks, a bunt RBI, and a passed ball to take a commanding 8–4 lead.
Refusing to go quietly, the Riptide mounted a ninth-inning comeback. Riley Hunsaker and Jack Salmon both walked and scored on a wild pitch and an RBI single from Tyler Holland. A hit-by-pitch, another wild pitch, and a two-run double by Zach Crandall tied the game at 9–9.
But the Foresters walked it off in the bottom of the ninth with a two-out infield single after a walk and stolen base set up the winning run.
The Riptide return home on Thursday looking to bounce back as they face the Colton Nighthawks at 7 p.m.
