Irvine, Calif. –- The Orange County Riptide put together a complete performance Friday night, drawing 15 walks and allowing just two hits in a 13-0 victory over the San Diego Bombers at Great Park.
The 13-run win in Friday’s Freeway Series theme night tied the largest margin of victory since the Riptide’s 14-1 win over the Arroyo Seco Saints on June 28, 2024.
Since falling behind 2-0 in the seventh inning of Tuesday’s Opening Day matchup with San Diego, the Riptide have rattled off 17 unanswered runs to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2023, a season in which they began 4-0 before eventually losing in the CCL South Division Championship game to Arroyo Seco.
The Riptide lineup strung together lengthy innings with the help of 17 Bomber free passes (15 BB, 2 HBP), four errors and timely two-out hitting.
First baseman Tomas Cerninus drove in a pair of runs on an opposite field double as part of a three-run third inning. The Princeton Tiger and Yorba Linda native highlighted the key to the early season success.
“A lot of guys trying to attack and be loose in the box,” Cerninus said. “I think that it showed results today.”
The offense continued to pile on. Orange County extended the lead with a run in the fourth inning and four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. Seven players in the Riptide order recorded an RBI, while four hitters drove in multiple runs.
Shortstop Travis Curry, who picked up two hits and scored three runs, discussed the approach that helped make him one of Friday night’s offensive catalysts.
“Just get it done, just keep battling,” Curry said. “I got to two strikes a few times, but just get the head out and get the ball in play.”
Right-hander Andrew Harbour made his first start of the 2026 CCL season and set the tone in the first inning, escaping an early jam by striking out San Diego shortstop EJ Barnes with two runners in scoring position.
Eight pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts with LHP Austin Kirkwood and RHP AJ Frausto each punching out the side.
Orange County hits the road for the first time this season as they prepare for a matchup with the Conejo Oaks at Ventura College on Saturday afternoon.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT.
Contributed by: Jake Zamora, Claira O’Connor, Kenji Ito, Nick Wire
