Walnut Creek, Calif. – On the second game of their Northern California road trip, the Orange County Riptide win 9-6 in their first game against the Walnut Creek Crawdads.

Starter Evan Yates (Cal State Fullerton) ran into some trouble in the 2nd and 3rd, altogether giving up 3 runs on 6 hits in his 3.2 innings pitched. Christian Finnigan (Seton Hall) came into the game with 2 outs and the bases loaded for the Crawdads in the bottom of the 4th, but got the Riptide out of the jam with a flyout. Finnigan stayed in for 2 more scoreless innings, ending up the winning pitcher. Carson Case (Nevada) pitched a scoreless 8th and Michael Dillon (Nova Southeastern) closed effectively, although he gave up a run.

Although the Crawdads struck first in the bottom of the 2nd, the Riptide offense was in control in the 3rd and 5th.

Dominic Souto, pictured here hitting in Sunday’s home game, went 3-5.
Photo Credit: Sage Zipeto

Playing from behind in the 3rd, the Riptide offense answered back immediately with 3 runs on a walk from third baseman Shane Taylor (Utah Tech), a single from second baseman Dominic Souto (Cal), a single from catcher Gavin Mez (UNLV), and a bases-clearing double from center fielder TC Simmons (UConn). 

Although the Crawdads tied the game up in the bottom of the 3rd, in the top of the 5th, the Riptide retook the lead in a big way. The first run came on back to back to back singles from Santino Panaro (UNLV), Taylor, and Souto. A second run came on an HBP by first baseman Marc Filia (UC San Diego), playing in his Riptide debut, and an RBI groundout from Mez. The next 3 runs scored on a single from Wilson Galvan (UT Arlington), an error by the Crawdads center fielder, and a passed ball by the Crawdads catcher. 

The Riptide tacked on their final run of the game in the top of the 9th, on a double by Souto, a wild pitch, and an error by the Crawdads first baseman. Souto had the best offensive night by far, going 3-5 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

The Riptide continue their road trip in Northern California with another game at the Sonoma Stompers on Saturday, June 25. First pitch is 6:05 pm.

OC Riptide @ Walnut Creek CrawdadsBox Score