IRVINE, Calif. — Missed opportunities led the Orange County Riptide to a 5-3 extra-innings loss against the San Diego Bombers on Wednesday at Great Park.
The Riptide led the game off with a bang. Catcher Shawn Romero singled into left, sending home first baseman Jarett Sabol, who started the bases-loaded rally with his own knock.
Even though Orange County had the bases loaded in the opening frame with no outs, they managed to score only one run. The underwhelming ending to the inning came after the Riptide lined out twice – which would be a recurring theme throughout the night.
“You’ve got to understand – baseball is such a difficult sport. You can do everything right and still get out and not be successful,” Sabol said. “The big thing for all of us players is it’s more about the process than the results.”
The timely hitting for the Riptide carried over in the second. Sabol singled to right and drove in shortstop Travis Curry from third for the 2-0 lead.
After the Bombers scored their second run in the fourth inning, the Riptide bullpen held it down from the fifth to the ninth. Right-handed pitchers Colin Rhee, Sean York, and Brandon Wyland threw a combined five innings, allowed only two walks, and struck out four batters.
In the top of the 10th, the Bombers scored three runs, by a bases-loaded walk from Jeremy Jones, an RBI single from Gianluca Fanelli, and Ayden Harrison, who grounded out to third and cashed in Dillon Martin.
The orange and blue had one final chance, but only drove in one – their placed runner at the beginning of the inning. Clouser came 90 feet home after Romero grounded out to short.
“With a guy on second base – for both teams it’s the same. We both have the advantage. In my mind that run’s already scored,” said head coach Bryan Evans. “It’s kind’ve a wash in my mind.”
The Riptide, now 12-5, heads on the road and will play the Academy Barons on Thursday, June 24.
First pitch is scheduled at 6:05 p.m.
