Thousand Oaks, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide defeated the Conejo Oaks 11-6, snapping their three-game losing streak.
Clutch Pitching
Impressive pitching performances were crucial to the Riptide’s victory. Jack Kirrer (Cal) started the game, pitching 4 1/3 innings, allowing three hits, two runs and recording one strikeout. In the sixth inning, Sam Hasegawa (UC San Diego) came in with the bases loaded and no outs and impressively only allowed two of the inherited runners to score. Pitching coach Bryan Evans was impressed with how Hasegawa handled the situation and pitched an additional two innings. Hasegawa got credited with the win, pitching three innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out two.
(Photo Credit: Sarah Cisneros)
“Coming in, in that situation and getting us out of that was huge,” said Evans. “He was throwing fastballs and cutters keeping them off balance, hitting his spots.”
The game started off as a pitchers’ duel, with both starting pitchers efficiently retiring the opposing batters. It wasn’t until the fifth inning that the scoring began, with both teams exchanging runs.
Offensive Bursts
The Riptide had a significant offensive burst in the fifth inning scoring five runs. Cooper Dulich (Creighton) started the rally with an RBI single and Reese Chapman (Tennessee) who led the team with six RBIs, added on with a three-run home run.
In a tie game in the eighth inning Nolan Funke (Undecided) hit a bases-clearing double to give the Riptide the go-ahead runs. Chapman connected again in the ninth inning with his second home run of the game, bringing in three and giving Nolan George (Undecided) some extra run support as he entered in the ninth. George made quick work of the Oaks in the ninth, striking out one to give the Riptide the win and end the three-game losing streak.
The Riptide will face the Conejo Oaks in a rubber match Sunday at the Great Park. First pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. pacific time.
OC Riptide vs. Conejo Oaks – Box