The Orange County Riptide defeated the MLB Academy Barons 6-2 on Tuesday night at Great Park in Irvine, capped off by a three-run triple from Jarett Sabol in the fifth that broke the scoring open.
The Barons struck first in the second inning, after a leadoff double from Jason Del Villar set up an RBI single from Antonio Lujan.
The Riptide responded in the third, as shortstop Travis Curry doubled to center to leadoff the inning then advanced to third on an errant throw. Third baseman Slater Nunez then drove him in with an RBI single to right field, evening the score at one.
Curry and Nunez produced the second run for the Riptide in nearly identical fashion in the fifth. Curry led off with a walk, then advanced to third on another errant throw – this time on a pickoff attempt. Nunez then brought home Curry on an RBI single to center, giving the Riptide a 2-1 lead.
“I just put the ball in play,” said Nunez. “Infield was in and I was just trying not to do too much.”
Left fielder Alex Dolan then flared a single to right, sending Nunez to third. Trajan Rogowski then walked to load the bases, paving the way for Sabol to do damage – and he delivered.
Sabol flared a ball to shallow right field, beating the glove of a diving Lujan and clearing the bases. The hit marked Sabol’s first triple of the season.
“I found out my favorite number today is three, three Ks and three RBIs,” said Sabol. “The pitcher left something over the plate a little bit, got my bat out there, and it went in the perfect spot.”
Sabol’s 10 RBI now lead the team.
The Riptide added their final insurance run in the seventh after Justin Tillar scored on an RBI double from Connor Barth, making it 6-1.
The Barons added another in the ninth, but were held at bay by Riptide pitching.
Orange County, now 9-2, returns to Great Park on Wednesday for a midweek bout with the Arroyo Seco Saints.
First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
