Irvine, Calif. – The OC Riptide fall to a losing record of 4-5-1 with their first home defeat of the season and 4th in as many games. Not much was working for the Riptide this game as they gave up 6 runs and scored 0.
Opposing starting pitcher Evan Adolphus was rolling, going 6 innings with no earned runs. Although not a single Riptide hitter struck out until the 6th, MLB Academy Barons pitchers racked up 7 strikeouts in the final 3 innings.
Right-hander Jonah Jenkins (Univ. of San Francisco) started for the Riptide, going 2 scoreless innings before loading the bases with no outs in the top of the 3rd on a pair of singles and a walk. He managed to escape, but not before running up his pitch count and giving up 2 runs, one earned and one unearned but on his own error. He struck out 4 and walked 1.
Photo Credit: Sage Zipeto
Following Jenkins, the Riptide bullpen struggled to put up zeroes, with relievers Trevor Meisner (Utah Tech), Cameron Wheeler (UC Irvine), and Thomas Di Landri (San Jacinto College) each giving up runs. Long Beach State pitchers Josh Haley and Noah Carabajal had the only scoreless appearances of the game. The bullpen was hurt by the walk, altogether issuing 7 free passes to Barons batters.
The best scoring opportunity for the Riptide came in the 3rd when right fielder Wilson Galvan (UT Arlington) singled with one out and advanced to 2nd on an error by the Barons’ pitcher. With 2 outs, left fielder Austin Kryszczuk (UNLV) singled, continuing his hot start to the season. However, Galvan was held at 3rd and ultimately both runners were stranded.
The one bright spot in this game came in the bottom of the 8th, when shortstop Chase Valentine (Tennessee) snapped his 0-12 start to the season, singling to lead off the inning.
The Riptide will try to get back on track on Tuesday against the Conejo Oaks, at home in OC Great Park. First pitch is 6:35 pm.
OC Riptide vs. MLB Academy Barons – Box Score