San Luis Obispo, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide defeated the San Luis Obispo Blues in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. The Riptide quickly took the lead and maintained their advantage throughout the game, winning 5-3 in seven innings, as the doubleheader required.
In the seventh inning, the Blues applied pressure to the Riptide when Tristan LaMaison (USD) loaded the bases and allowed two runners to score with two outs. LaMaison halted the potential comeback and secured the victory for the Riptide.
Noteworthy Offensive Performances
The Riptide gained an early lead in the top of the first inning through an executed double steal. Patrick Hackworth (UCSD) scored after hitting a broken bat single and Ethan Felix (El Camino College) who returned to game action after two weeks added two more runs with a two RBI single to right field in the second inning. Felix concluded the game with three hits, leading the team.
Hackworth brought in another run on a sacrifice bunt that turned into a hit and Felix scored on a throwing error. Nathan Cadena (San Jose State) began the fifth inning with a double down the left field line, contributing to the Riptide’s 12-hit team performance.
Impressive Pitching
Matthew Maloney (UNLV) delivered his longest start of the summer, pitching 5 ⅓ innings and striking out a season-high 10 batters. He had a dominant outing, allowing only three hits and one run.
Maloney provided head coach Connor Spencer and pitching coach Bryan Evans valuable innings to not use as few pitchers as possible with three games in a short period of time. Notably, he wasn’t scheduled to pitch, but he stepped in due to Tyler Valdez (Undecided) being scratched before the game with elbow soreness.
The Riptide will conclude their regular season matchup against the Blues and aim to complete the doubleheader sweep on Saturday before heading into playoffs in the California Collegiate League.
OC Riptide vs. Slo Blues – Box