Irvine, Calif. – It was a close one through 6, with the OC Riptide down 1-0 to the Santa Barbara Foresters in the 1st, tied at 1-1 for the majority of the game, and down again 2-1 in the 6th. However, the Riptide bats pulled ahead late, tacking 5 total runs on the Foresters in the 7th and 8th innings. The Riptide are now 12-9-1 on the season and up to .500 in conference play, good for 3rd in the CCL South division and 1.5 games behind a playoff bid.
Starter Evan Vasiliou (UCI) started off shaky, giving up a run on back-to-back 2-out extra-base hits, then losing the zone and loading the bases with 2 walks. After a mound visit, Vasiliou got out of the jam with a 3-pitch strikeout and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings.
Vasiliou was relieved by Luke Higgins (Golden West College), who pitched 2.1 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits and getting helped out by an unbelievable sliding play by right fielder Wilson Galvan (UT Arlington) to end the top of the 5th and save a run.
“Where there’s a WIL there’s a way… SON!” Unbelievable diving catch by #15 Wilson Galvan (@Wilson15Gray @UTAMavsBSB) to keep the score where it is ! We’re all tied after 5 innings‼️ @CCL_Baseball #ocriptidebaseball #ocriptidefamily #summerball #sctop10 #webgem pic.twitter.com/9Eo1MsLQbw
— OC Riptide Baseball (@ocriptide) July 7, 2022
Carson Case (Nevada) recorded one out in the top of the 7th, but loaded the bases on 2 hits and a single, before being relieved by Josh Haley (Long Beach State), who pitched 1.2 shutout innings. Daniel Naughton (Gonzaga) closed out the win, putting up back-to-back scoreless 9ths.
The Riptide played from behind in the bottom of the 2nd, tying it up thanks to production from Tennessee players: a double from catcher Nathan Smith followed by an RBI single from shortstop Chase Valentine.
Photo Credit: Sage Zipeto
Playing from behind again in the 6th, the Riptide scored 3 runs to pull ahead once and for all. Valentine was hit by a pitch and then replaced on the basepaths by Nathan Manning (Cal) on a fielder’s choice. Manning advanced to 3rd on a single from Galvan and scored on an RBI single from Zach Thomas (Utah Tech). Galvan and Thomas both scored on an error by the Foresters’ center fielder.
In the bottom of the 8th, the Riptide padded their lead with 2 runs. The Riptide loaded the bases on an HBP by Gavin Haimovitz (Santa Barbara City College), a beautiful infield single from Shane Taylor (Utah Tech), and a single from Smith. Haimovitz scored on a sacrifice fly from Manning and Taylor scored on a double from Galvan.
In addition to his unbelievable offensive play, Galvan was the standout offensive player. Continuing his impressive performance from the 4th of July, Galvan went 3-5 tonight with a double, 2 singles, and a stolen base. Smith and Thomas had great nights as well, with Smith having his first multi-hit game of the season and Thomas extending his hitting streak to 6 games.
Tomorrow, the Riptide return to the site of the first no-hitter in Riptide history, visiting the San Luis Obispo Blues at Sinsheimer Park. First pitch is 6 pm.
OC Riptide vs. Santa Barbara Foresters – Box Score