Pasadena, Calif. — The Orange County Riptide battled the Arroyo Seco Saints in a pitchers duel Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Field. Rallying in the late innings, the Riptide tied the game 2-2 in 7th inning and took the lead in the 8th inning to secure a 3-2 victory. The Riptide closed the first week of play with a 3-1 record and 2-0 in California Collegiate League play.
Leading by a single run, the Riptide managed to thwart the Saints threat with two runners on and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Gray Thomas (University of Oklahoma) held off the potential comeback, striking out the final two batters to end the game. Thomas remained perfect, earning his second save in as many save opportunities this summer.
Head coach Connor Spencer pushed all the right buttons as the team chased one run heading into the seventh inning. With the urgency to score runs late, Spencer led a brief team meeting heading into the top of the seventh inning. That meeting ignited the team to rally. Spencer’s pep talk fired up the Riptide once again and the offense began to chip away at the 2-1 Saints lead.
Small Ball
(Photo credit: Sarah Cisneros)
The Riptide utilized small ball techniques in the eighth inning to tie the game up at 2-2. Owen Fuller (University of North Carolina Charlotte) worked a walk and advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch. Bryce Blaser (University of North Carolina) laid down a perfectly placed bunt between the pitcher and 3rd baseman to ensure the Fuller could advance safely to third. Ethan Felix (El Camino College) hit a sacrifice fly to right field, easily scoring Fuller for the go ahead run.
Jack Kirrer (California Berkeley) got the start for the Riptide and pitched three scoreless innings, recording four strikeouts. Andrew Stanley (Golden West College) dominated the Saints’ batters in relief. Stanley earned the win, pitching four innings. Stanley, a right hander, used fancy footwork and impeccable defensive timing to pick off three different runners at first base. Stanley ended his day on the mound scattering four hits, striking out four Saints batters and allowed no runs earning the victory in the game and his first in a Riptide uniform.
The Riptide complete back-to-back road games on Tuesday, taking on the Academy Barons on June 13th at the MLB Academy on the campus of Compton College. First pitched scheduled for 6:05 pm pacific time.
OC Riptide vs. Arroyo Seco Saints – Box