Irvine, Calif. — The Orange County Riptide lost to the San Luis Obispo Blues 9-6. The Riptide were unable to overcome multiple defensive miscues in Saturday night’s game.
Down four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Riptide got the first two batters of the inning to reach safely. The offense was only able to bring in one run and the next three batters recorded three straight outs, stopping the comeback they were trying to mount.
In the first two innings the Riptide had committed four errors and all four runs that scored were unearned. It was a tough performance for the Riptide on the defensive side and the Blues were capitalizing with every opportunity. “It seemed like over and over again it was just bad baseball,” head coach Connor Spencer said. “If there was one bright spot in the game, it was that the offense battled late.”
The offense had 14 hits on the night but couldn’t capitalize with runners in scoring position. As a whole the Riptide left 11 runners on base. The Riptide kept trying to mount a comeback but were unsuccessful in getting the big hit when runners were in scoring position. Connor McGuire (Cal Baptist) led the team in hits for the night with three singles and a run scored. Cary Arbolida (Houston) went 2-3 with a double, 2 RBIs, a run and two walks.
(Photo Credit: Henry Tee
Spencer was disappointed in the product of baseball that they put together on the field Saturday night and noted the opportunity to turn things around quickly. “We have tomorrow. We get to come right back and play tomorrow,” Spencer said. “The guys have got to hit the pillow, flush this and come right back at it tomorrow.”
The Riptide will take on the Arroyo Seco Saints at Jackie Robinson Field Sunday. First pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. pacific time.
San Luis Obispo Blues vs. OC Riptide – Box Score